Taliban ‘reasonable’ to our concerns: India CELEBRATORY FIRE KILLS 17 AS TALIBAN CLAIM PANJSHIR HAS FALLEN TOO
NEW DELHI: India and the US are carefully watching Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan in light of Islamabad’s role in backing the Taliban, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla said as he wound up a three-day visit to Washington during which the situation in the war-torn country was a key part of discussions.
Shringla also told reporters in Washington on Friday that India has had a “limited” engagement with the Taliban, during which the group indicated it would be “reasonable in the way they handle things”.
His remarks came against the backdrop of the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban are set to form government after sweeping to power in Kabul on August 15. Shringla spoke hours before Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, became the first senior Pakistani leader to fly into Kabul for talks with the Taliban.
Shringla noted Pakistan has extended backing to the Taliban, and said India and the US will assess Pakistan’s actions in Afghanistan with a “fine-tooth comb”.
“They (US) will obviously see how different players get engaged in the situation in Afghanistan. Pakistan is a neighbour of Afghanistan. They have supported and nurtured the Tali
KABUL: Taliban and opposition forces were fighting on Saturday for control of the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul, the last province in Afghanistan holding out against the Islamist group, according to reports.
At least 17 people were killed in celebratory gunfire in Kabul after Taliban sources said on Friday its fighters had taken the valley, although the resistance denied it had fallen.
The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, which groups opposition forces loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud, said, “The defence of the stronghold of Afghanistan is unbreakable.”
A Taliban source said fighting was continuing in Panjshir but the group’s advance was slowed by landmines placed on the road to the capita.
PROFILE