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Haqqani visits Dasht-e-Leili massacre site in Jawzjan
Minister of Interior Affairs Sirajuddin Haqqani visited Dasht-e-Leili in Jawzjan province, where a large number of prisoners of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) were shot or suffocated to death in 2001.
Upon reaching there, Haqqani performed the noon prayer, recited the Holy Quran and prayed for the souls of those who were killed, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
Haqqani said the “martyrs” of Dasht-e-Leili are the “nameless soldiers” of Islam who were killed in oppression. “This great caravan of the martyrs of Islam has only one name and that is ‘The martyrs of Dasht-e-Laili’,” Haqqani said.
“Their sacred blood took their murderers, humiliated and disgraced them. These murderers will be dealt with severely by the Almighty Allah; History will not forget these war crimes,” Haqqani said.
The local authorities of Jawzjan province announced plans to build a wall, a minaret, and a mosque at the site of the incident in order to “preserve the sanctity of the blood of the martyrs,” the Interior Ministry’s statement said.
Haqqani gave directives for its implementation and also provided financial assistance for this purpose.
The Dasht-e-Leili massacre occurred in December 2001 during the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan when 250 to 2,000 IEA prisoners were shot or suffocated to death in metal shipping containers while being transferred by Junbish-e Milli soldiers under the supervision of forces loyal to General Rashid Dostum from Kunduz to Sheberghan prison in Afghanistan.
Some of the prisoners were survivors of the Battle of Qala-e-Jangi in Mazar-e-Sharif. In 2009, Dostum denied the accusations.
According to all sources, many of the prisoners died from suffocation inside the containers, and some witnesses claimed that those who survived were shot. The dead were buried in a mass grave.
The allegations have been investigated since 2002 by Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). PHR conducted two forensic missions to the site under the auspices of the United Nations in 2002. In 2008, PHR reported that the grave had been tampered with.
International Sports
Mumbai Indians outclass KKR in high-scoring IPL thriller
Mumbai chased down a daunting target with six wickets to spare, thanks to outstanding batting performances from Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma, who dominated the chase and thrilled the home crowd.
The 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) produced a thrilling contest on Sunday, March 29, as Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-scoring encounter at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Mumbai chased down a daunting target with six wickets to spare, thanks to outstanding batting performances from Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma, who dominated the chase and thrilled the home crowd.
Despite KKR posting a massive total, Mumbai’s batting lineup showed composure and attacking intent to seal one of the most entertaining matches of the early IPL season.
The tournament continues today, March 30, with another exciting fixture as Rajasthan Royals (RR) take on Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
The match is expected to draw huge attention, with both teams featuring star-studded lineups and looking to build early momentum in the competition.
Fans in Afghanistan can watch every match of the tournament live as Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) holds exclusive broadcast rights for the IPL in the country.
Cricket lovers can follow Ariana Television and Ariana News social media pages for live coverage, highlights, and the latest updates throughout the tournament.
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Pakistan shelling in Afghanistan’s Kunar leaves civilian casualties, says IEA
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
The Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Hamdullah Fitrat, says Pakistani forces carried out heavy shelling on civilian areas in eastern Afghanistan, leaving several residents injured and one person dead.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fitrat said that members of the Pakistani military regime fired mortars and other heavy weapons at around 5 pm on rural areas and residential neighborhoods on the outskirts of Asadabad, the provincial capital of Kunar Province.
According to him, the attacks targeted villages and civilian homes, resulting in casualties among local residents. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 16 people were injured—most of them women and children—while one person was killed in the incident.
“Once again, the militias of the Pakistani military regime conducted shelling on rural areas and civilian residences located on the outskirts of Asadabad using mortars and other heavy weaponry,” Fitrat stated.
Local sources say the shelling created panic among residents in surrounding communities, forcing some families to leave their homes due to fears of further attacks. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the damage and casualties.
Earlier this month, Afghanistan said that a Pakistani airstrike had hit a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, killing more than 400 people.
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Afghan FM meets Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, discusses regional issues
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Ali-Reza Beikdeli, Iran’s acting ambassador in Kabul, to discuss bilateral relations and regional developments.
According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi criticized what he called the “aggression” of the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that the expansion of conflict to other countries affects the entire region.
He also highlighted the growing trade relations between Afghanistan and Iran, describing them as a positive sign of cooperation. In addition, Muttaqi praised the “constructive stance” of Iranian officials regarding recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that the resolution of legitimate concerns from both sides is only possible through genuine dialogue.
Beikdeli reaffirmed Iran’s position on U.S. and Israeli actions and described bilateral cooperation with Afghanistan—particularly in trade—as positive. He added that Iran’s leadership is closely monitoring the situation between Afghanistan and Pakistan and supports a peaceful resolution.
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