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UN reports 55 percent rise in security-related incidents in Afghanistan
Attacks using improvised explosive devices caused at least 98 civilian casualties, it said.
In his new report on Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that between February 1 and May 13 of this year, 2,505 security incidents were recorded in Afghanistan, which shows a 55 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Guterres in the report to the UN Security Council, added that narcotics-related incidents increased from 212 to 418 during the period, and this is due to the enforcement of a ban on poppy cultivation.
Based on the report, the armed opposition attacked during this period but did not significantly challenge the IEA’s hold on territorial control. Daesh carried out six attacks between February 28 and May 15, four of which targeted the Islamic Emirate.
The United Nations has also stated that between February 1 and May 13, the organization recorded 13 robberies or thefts, 7 incidents of harassment and intimidation, 2 arrests, 1 case of explosion an improvised explosive device detonation and 8 other incidents
Attacks using improvised explosive devices caused at least 98 civilian casualties, it said.
The Ministry of Interior, however, rejects the United Nations report on security incidents.
“The security that has been provided in Afghanistan is nationwide and unprecedented, and we have not had any security incidents recently. It has been very limited,” said Abdul Matin Qani, the ministry’s spokesman.
Qani said that the United Nations may have included counter-narcotics operations or operations against kidnappers in security incidents.
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The Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan has announced scholarship opportunities for Afghan students under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program for the 2027 academic year.
According to the embassy, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) of Japan is offering scholarships for graduate-level study at Japanese universities under the research student category, including both regular and non-regular students.
Interested and eligible applicants can download the application guidelines and forms from the official Study in Japan website and are advised to carefully review all requirements before applying.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and have prepared all required documents must submit their applications by 25 May 2026. The embassy said late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
The first screening process will include a written examination in Kabul on 18 June 2026, followed by interviews scheduled for July 2026 (date to be confirmed).
The Embassy of Japan noted that the Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan will assist in collecting applications and facilitating written examinations, but will not be involved in the selection process.
It further emphasized that the selection will be conducted independently by the embassy and the Japanese government, based on academic merit, quality of application documents, and performance in written and interview examinations, without consideration of religious, linguistic, or ethnic background.
The scholarship program is fully funded and free of charge. The embassy warned applicants to remain cautious against scams, stressing that no financial contributions are required at any stage of the application process.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs, has launched the distribution of more than 1,000 residential land plots for returning migrants in Logar province.
During a visit to Logar, Hanafi inaugurated a new township and said the initiative aims to support Afghan returnees by providing them with housing opportunities and improving settlement conditions.
He called for speeding up the process of distributing residential plots designated for migrants, stressing the importance of timely implementation.
“We inaugurated this township today, which includes more than 1,000 plots. These plots will be distributed to migrants. In addition, other townships will also be constructed soon,” he said.
Hanafi also noted that over the past three years, more than five million Afghan migrants have returned from neighboring countries, adding that efforts are underway to provide them with essential services and support their reintegration.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Ubaid-ur-Rehman Nizamani, has urged the Afghan authorities to take concrete action against militant threats that Islamabad says originate from Afghan soil.
Speaking at an event at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul marking the first anniversary of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos against India, Nizamani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining “brotherly ties” with Afghanistan.
The ambassador also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions between Iran and the United States, saying Islamabad’s initiatives reflected its commitment to regional and global peace.
During the ceremony, Nizamani reaffirmed Pakistan’s determination to defend itself against any aggression.
“Pakistan’s desire for peace must never be mistaken for weakness,” the ambassador said, calling for heightened vigilance against regional threats.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that militants use Afghan soil to attack Pakistan. The Islamic Emirate, however, has denied this claim and said that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s security failures.
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