BEIRUT (AP) — Turkish armored vehicles have rolled into northwestern Syria to impose a “de-escalation zone” in a province dominated by al-Qaida-linked militants, an incursion that the Turkish leader said was meant to secure his country’s border. The Turkish military said it began an operation late Thursday to set up “observation points” in Idlib, without … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — An ancient stone sculpture of Buddha’s footprints that was smuggled into the United States and had been expected to sell for more than $1 million was returned to the government of Pakistan on Wednesday. The piece, called a Buddhapada, was taken from a Pakistani region rich in Buddhist history decades ago. … Continue reading
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s prime minister on Monday vowed to eliminate perpetrators of terror attacks such as the massive suicide bombing that targeted Christians gathered for Easter the previous day in the eastern city of Lahore, killing 70 people. The attack underscored both the militants’ ability to stage large-scale attacks despite a months-long government … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban suicide bombing against a bus carrying employees of Afghanistan’s biggest media company last month has shocked local journalists, who fear they are now in the cross hairs of an increasingly lethal insurgency. Journalism has always been a dangerous line of work in Afghanistan, and reporters have long had to … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — After months of ferocious fighting, Afghan army units battling the Taliban in southern Helmand province are facing major restructuring and leadership changes, with several key commanders being replaced, a U.S. military official said Monday. Helmand has been a fierce battleground since last fall, with fighting taking place in 10 districts. At … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Representatives from four countries gathered in Kabul on Monday, Jan. 18, called on the Taliban to resume peace talks with the Afghan government. Senior officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States met for most of the day at the Presidential Palace amid tight security, a week after a first … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber targeting a gathering in a volatile eastern province of Afghanistan killed 13 people, including seven members of a prominent pro-government clan, Afghan officials said. Another 14 people were wounded in the attack on the home of Obaidullah Shinwari, a scion of the clan and member of the Nangarhar … Continue reading
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have overrun a district in northern Afghanistan’s Takhar province, and intense battles were underway Wednesday as government forces fought to retake it, an official said. Six Afghan security forces were killed in the fighting over Darqad district, which borders Tajikistan, according to Sonatullah Taimor, the spokesman for the provincial … Continue reading
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian intelligence on Wednesday warned of an increased risk of Taliban or Islamic State fighters invading Central Asia. FSB director Alexander Bortnikov said in comments carried by Russian news agencies that a concentration of Taliban fighters, some of whom had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, at Afghanistan’s northern border make … Continue reading
ISLAMABAD (AP) — For years, Pakistan did not put prisoners to death. Then a Taliban attack butchered 150 people, most of them children, and the country resumed carrying out the death penalty and quickly turned into one of the world’s most avid executioners. But instead of killing militants, the campaign is largely executing common criminals, … Continue reading
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Islamabad is still ready to facilitate the revival of stalled peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The spokesman, Qazi Khalilullah, made his remarks at a news conference Friday shortly after Sartaj Aziz, the Pakistani prime minister’s adviser on national security and foreign affairs, traveled … Continue reading
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (AP) — When the Taliban descended a month ago on Dam Shakh, a hamlet on the wheat-growing plains of northern Afghanistan’s Kunduz province, nobody was prepared. “They turned up suddenly and took us completely by surprise,” said resident Ghulam Sakhi of the night of April 24 when hundreds of Taliban militants launched … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is closing in on an agreement with Qatar to extend travel bans for five senior Taliban leaders released last year from the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, U.S. officials said Friday. A deal now being negotiated with Qatar would see the restrictions … Continue reading
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — When Pakistani Taliban militants stormed a Peshawar school and massacred 150 children and teachers, nobody could fight back. Shabnam Tabinda and some of her fellow teachers want to change that — and are practicing how to shoot terrorists. Government authorities in Pakistan’s northwest frontier have given permission for teachers to … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 