Lalit K Jha And K J M Varma

Stories by Lalit K Jha And K J M Varma

Another terror attack on Kabul airport is 'highly likely', warns Biden

Another terror attack on Kabul airport is 'highly likely', warns Biden

Rediff.com   29 Aug 2021

"The situation on the ground continues to be extremely dangerous, and the threat of terrorist attacks on the airport remains high. Our commanders informed me that an attack is highly likely in the next 24-36 hours," US President Joe Biden said.

US airstrike targets ISIS 'planner' in Afghanistan

US airstrike targets ISIS 'planner' in Afghanistan

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2021

An ISIS-Khorasan planner was killed in a "counterterrorism" operation conducted by US military forces in the Nangahar province, a day after a terror attack in Kabul killed scores of people including 13 US troops.

China, US hold military-level talks over Afghanistan

China, US hold military-level talks over Afghanistan

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2021

Deputy director for the People's Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation Major General Huang Xueping held a video conference with his US counterpart Michael Chase last week.

US intel says Covid not a bio-weapon, unsure about its origins

US intel says Covid not a bio-weapon, unsure about its origins

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2021

The United States intelligence community has failed to reach any firm conclusion on the exact origin of COVID-19 and is split on whether it leaked from a lab in China or emerged in nature, even though it does not believe the virus was developed as a biological weapon, according to results of a detailed review ordered by President Joe Biden.

Despite an 'ongoing and acute threat' US to end its Afghan mission by Aug 31

Despite an 'ongoing and acute threat' US to end its Afghan mission by Aug 31

Rediff.com   28 Aug 2021

The US has said it will go ahead with its plan to conclude its Afghanistan mission by August 31, even as the evacuation effort, which is now in its "retrograde period", is facing an "ongoing and acute threat" from ISIS-K.

'We will hunt you down and make you pay': Biden on Kabul attacks

'We will hunt you down and make you pay': Biden on Kabul attacks

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2021

The president said the ISIS-K was behind the gruesome attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and at a hotel nearby.

Not in Taliban's interest if IS-K metastasises: Biden

Not in Taliban's interest if IS-K metastasises: Biden

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2021

The US has held IS-K, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State terror outfit, responsible for Thursday's Kabul airport attack in which 13 American soldiers were killed and 18 others injured.

13 US soldiers, 60 Afghans killed in ISIS attacks in Kabul

13 US soldiers, 60 Afghans killed in ISIS attacks in Kabul

Rediff.com   27 Aug 2021

The terrorist attack was carried out by ISIS gunmen, General Kenneth Franklin McKenzie, Commander of the United States Central Command, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference on Thursday, hours after the terrorists opened gunfire at American soldiers standing outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

Taliban strengthen control around Kabul airport: Pentagon

Taliban strengthen control around Kabul airport: Pentagon

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2021

The Hamid Karzai International Airport is the only access point for the international community to reach out to people in Afghanistan, a land locked country.

China, Taliban hold their 1st diplomatic dialogue in Kabul

China, Taliban hold their 1st diplomatic dialogue in Kabul

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2021

"China and the Afghan Taliban have unimpeded and effective communication and consultation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a media briefing in Beijing.

Aug 31 evacuation deadline depends on Taliban cooperation: Biden

Aug 31 evacuation deadline depends on Taliban cooperation: Biden

Rediff.com   25 Aug 2021

"But the completion by August 31 depends on the Taliban continuing to cooperate and allow access to the airport for those who were transporting out and no disruptions to our operations," US President Joe Biden said.

US 'laser-focused' on troop pullout from Afghanistan by Aug 31

US 'laser-focused' on troop pullout from Afghanistan by Aug 31

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2021

The Biden Administration on Monday said it was now focused on completing its evacuation mission from Afghanistan by August 31, the deadline for removing all American troops from the country.

US in talks with Taliban on daily basis: NSA

US in talks with Taliban on daily basis: NSA

Rediff.com   24 Aug 2021

"We are in talks with the Taliban on a daily basis through both political and security channels. I'm not going to get into the details of those discussions here, to protect those discussions, which are covering a wide range of issues," Sullivan told reporters at a White House news conference.

Biden likely to extend Afghanistan evacuation deadline beyond Aug 31

Biden likely to extend Afghanistan evacuation deadline beyond Aug 31

Rediff.com   23 Aug 2021

Amid deepening crisis in Afghanistan, United States President Joe Biden defended his move to withdraw troops from the country, saying history will record this as a 'logical, rational, and right decision'.

Laser focus on Afghanistan, says Biden, warns Taliban not to hinder US forces

Laser focus on Afghanistan, says Biden, warns Taliban not to hinder US forces

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2021

The United States is going to retain a laser focus on its counterterrorism mission in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden said on Friday, and warned the Taliban of a forceful response to any attack on American forces or disruption of its operations at the Kabul airport.

Hindu group objects to 'dismantling Hindutva' conference in US

Hindu group objects to 'dismantling Hindutva' conference in US

Rediff.com   21 Aug 2021

Conference organisers, who are requesting anonymity, claim the three-day event starting September 10 is cosponsored by more than 45 centres or departments at over 40 universities, most of whom are from the United States.

China has big role to play in Af's rebuilding, reconstruction: Taliban

China has big role to play in Af's rebuilding, reconstruction: Taliban

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2021

China is a big country with a huge economy and capacity. They can play a big role in rebuilding, reconstruction of Afghanistan," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said.

China approves 3-child policy with sops

China approves 3-child policy with sops

Rediff.com   20 Aug 2021

The decision to permit the third child came after this month's once-in-a-decade census showed that China's population grew at the slowest pace to 1.412 billion amid official projections that the decline may begin as early as next year.

Taliban 2.0 is 'clear-eyed and rational': China in 2nd endorsement in two days

Taliban 2.0 is 'clear-eyed and rational': China in 2nd endorsement in two days

Rediff.com   19 Aug 2021

China on Thursday said it is in talks with the Taliban and called for an "objective judgement" on their actions after it seized power in Afghanistan, saying the militant group appears to be more "cleareyed and rational" and hoped that it will deliver on its promises, including protection of women's rights.

Diplomatic recognition for Taliban only after government formation: China

Diplomatic recognition for Taliban only after government formation: China

Rediff.com   18 Aug 2021

"If we have to recognise a government, the first thing is that we will need to wait until the government is formed," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said.