Latest News
UK to probe claims its special forces killed Afghan civilians
The UK will hold an independent inquiry into allegations that its special forces killed dozens of civilians in Afghanistan between mid-2010 and mid-2013, the country’s Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday.
The announcement by British officials follows a July report by the BBC that alleged troops from the country’s elite Special Air Service (SAS) had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances during night raids in Afghanistan, euronews reported.
The official statement released by the Ministry of Defence said that it had “established an independent statutory inquiry to investigate and report on allegations of wrongdoing by British armed forces in relation to their conduction of deliberate detention operations in Afghanistan.” The inquiry, led by senior judge Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, will be limited to the window of time between mid-2010 and mid-2013.
Beside determining whether the special forces were guilty of committing extrajudicial killings in Afghanistan, the inquiry will also look at the adequacy of the response to the allegations.
“The UK’s armed forces rightly hold themselves to the highest possible operational standards,” Junior defense minister Andrew Murrison said.
“Operations must be conducted within the clear boundaries of the law and credible allegations against our forces must always be investigated thoroughly.”
Murrison told parliament on Thursday that the ministry’s decision had been informed by two cases — currently the subject of judicial reviews in Britain — brought by families who allege their relatives were killed by the SAS in 2011 and 2012 in Afghanistan and that the circumstances were not properly investigated.
The inquiry won’t be the first looking into allegations of misconduct involving the SAS and British forces in Afghanistan. But no evidence has been found so far to support claims, euronews reported.
Latest News
Islamic Development Bank to build standard cardiac hospital in Kabul
The statement added this is the first major and infrastructural project in the health sector since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, which will be implemented in practice by the IsDB following the ministry’s effective engagement.
After the initial coordination and agreement between the Ministry of Finance and IsDB, the project has been shared with the relevant departments of the Islamic Emirate.
At present, preliminary work on the survey, mapping, and design is being carried out by a joint committee consisting of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, IsDB, the contracting company, and the relevant departments of IEA.
The design and planning of this hospital are expected to be completed within six months.
With the construction of this standard hospital, the treatment of cardiac and chest patients will be carried out domestically at lower cost, and the hospital will also provide facilities for specialized medical training.
Latest News
Afghan borders minister calls Pakistan’s Khawaja Asif a ‘mentally ill’ person
Noorullah Noori, the Minister of Borders and Tribal Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has called Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif a “mentally ill” person for threatening Afghanistan with attacks.
Speaking at a gathering, Noori asked Khawaja Asif to study history before making a decision.
He said: “Your history against Bangladesh and India is clear. Our history against Russia, America and Britain is clear. You judge.”
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that attacks in the country are organized by militants in Afghanistan, a claim that the Islamic Emirate denies.
Pakistan carried out attacks in Kabul and Paktika about a month ago, which led to deadly clashes between the two sides.
The two sides have held three rounds of talks, but the talks have been inconclusive.
Latest News
Afghanistan-Pakistan issues should be resolved bilaterally, India has no role: Rajnath Singh
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed New Delhi’s policy of non-interference amid rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan over security issues.
In an interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Singh dismissed Pakistan’s allegations of Indian involvement in recent clashes, calling them “completely baseless and unsubstantiated.”
Singh emphasized that India’s foreign policy is rooted in peace and mutual respect. “We do not seek or encourage any kind of confrontation. We want peace in the world. We are in favour of peace. We will not provoke anyone or encourage conflict with anyone,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed India’s right to self-defense: “But if someone teases or provokes us, we will not spare them. We do not use crutches to defend our self-respect. We do it ourselves. We take decisions on our own and take required actions on our own.”
On the dispute between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Singh reiterated that the matter should be settled bilaterally through dialogue. “Whatever the issue, all the countries involved should sit down and settle it by negotiation,” he said.
Pakistani officials have consistently claimed that attacks in the country are organized by militants in Afghanistan, a claim that the Islamic Emirate denies.
Pakistan carried out attacks in Kabul and Paktika about a month ago, which led to deadly clashes between the two sides.
The two sides have held three rounds of talks, but the talks have been inconclusive.
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan to face Tajikistan in Islamic Solidarity Games futsal opener
-
Sport3 days agoRasooli to lead Afghanistan in Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 Defense
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan futsal team thrashes Tajikistan 9–5 in ISG opener
-
Sport2 days agoAfghanistan to face Iran in Islamic Solidarity Games futsal clash
-
Sport5 days agoTrott and Afghanistan to part ways after 2026 T20 World Cup
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan foreign ministry rejects Pakistan’s claim of multiple calls from Muttaqi
-
Business3 days agoAriana Airlines slashes cargo fees to boost Afghanistan’s trade
-
Regional4 days agoIran’s supreme leader issues ultimatum to Trump amid rising tensions
