News for 'Southern Afghanistan'

No outlay for Chabahar port, India cuts Bangladesh aid

No outlay for Chabahar port, India cuts Bangladesh aid

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

It is learnt that India was mulling various options relating to the project after Trump administration threatened a 25 per cent additional tariff on countries doing business with Tehran.

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Trouble for India? Trump announces 25% tariff on Iran's trade partners

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Trump said that the decision would be "immediately" in effect and that the "order is final and conclusive."

US tariff threat puts India's Chabahar port plans in doubt

US tariff threat puts India's Chabahar port plans in doubt

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

India is evaluating its involvement in the Chabahar port project in Iran due to potential US tariffs. The US had granted India a waiver for the project, but it expires soon. India is exploring options to continue supporting the port's development while minimizing exposure to US sanctions.

'Osama bin Laden escaped disguised as a woman'

'Osama bin Laden escaped disguised as a woman'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

In a key revelation, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer John Kiriakou has said that Al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, who was the most wanted terrorist for the United States after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had escaped from the Tora Bora hills in Afghanistan in the guise of a woman.

UNSC report on Pahalgam cites TRF claim, Lashkar link

UNSC report on Pahalgam cites TRF claim, Lashkar link

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

A UN Security Council report states that The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack and published a photograph of the attack site. The report also cites assertions that the attack could not have happened without the support of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT).

Setback for India? US revokes sanctions waiver for Chabahar port

Setback for India? US revokes sanctions waiver for Chabahar port

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

India has said it will take all steps to protect its national interests and ensure comprehensive national security in all domains after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic defence pact.

'War Has No Winners, Only Losers'

'War Has No Winners, Only Losers'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

'I noticed a nine-year-old child hugging another child every few minutes.' 'The two were sisters and were playing in their village when an armed gang attacked their village and set fire to it.' 'They hid together, only to witness their mother and father being killed.' 'Now, the older child is constantly comforting the younger one.'

5 hardcore terrorists, including IC-814 mastermind, killed in Op Sindoor

5 hardcore terrorists, including IC-814 mastermind, killed in Op Sindoor

Rediff.com10 May 2025

Sources have revealed that at least five hardcore terrorists affiliated with banned terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed in Indian strikes in Pakistan on May 7th. The strikes targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the dead were Mudassar Khadian Khas, a LeT leader, and Hafiz Muhammed Jameel, the brother of JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar. Other notable casualties included Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, a brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, and Khalid alias Abu Akasha, a LeT operative. The Pakistani military and government officials were present at the funerals of the slain terrorists.

A Hopeful Mother Waits In Uttarakhand

A Hopeful Mother Waits In Uttarakhand

Rediff.com7 Aug 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.

'Migration Will Be Most Challenging Aspect Of Census'

'Migration Will Be Most Challenging Aspect Of Census'

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

'What is going on is the under counting of the migration population in urban areas.' 'It has been going on in the last few censuses.'

ISI helping Taliban in Afghanistan: Report

ISI helping Taliban in Afghanistan: Report

Rediff.com26 Mar 2009

The Taliban's widening campaign in southern Afghanistan is made possible in part by direct support from operatives in Pakistan's military intelligence agency, the New York Times said, citing US government officials.

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

It's Time to Update Army Regiment Names

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

>The Indian Army still uses old British-era names and recruits soldiers based on caste or region, which hurts national unity, argues Colonel K Thammayya Udupa (retd).

Taliban behead 17 party-goers in Afghanistan

Taliban behead 17 party-goers in Afghanistan

Rediff.com27 Aug 2012

Seventeen civilians have been beheaded by Taliban insurgents in southern Afghanistan for attending a party, government officials say.

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Indian student in US arrested by masked agents from near home

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, is facing deportation after US authorities accused him of "spreading Hamas propaganda" and having "close connections to a suspected terrorist." The Department of Homeland Security claims Suri has been actively promoting antisemitism on social media and is connected to a senior Hamas advisor. Suri's lawyer, Hassan Ahmad, argues that his client is being targeted due to his wife's Palestinian heritage and their opposition to US foreign policy towards Israel. The incident follows the self-deportation of another Indian student from Columbia University who was also accused of supporting Hamas.

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

US judge blocks Indian student's deportation over Hamas ties

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

In his petition, Suri's lawyer said that he is being punished as his wife, who is a US citizen, is of Palestinian heritage and because the government suspects that he and his wife are against the US foreign policy towards Israel.

US troops launch massive operation in Afghanistan

US troops launch massive operation in Afghanistan

Rediff.com2 Jul 2009

The United States on Thursday launched a major operation against the Taliban in southern Afghanistan, according to military officials.The operation comes in the wake of a similar operation by British troops last week, and is the largest since the US moved additional troops to the strife-torn country earlier this year.Operation Khanjar -- 'strike of the sword' involves 4,000 US troops, mostly Marines, and 650 soldiers from Afghanistan as well as the police.

Obama launches 1st major op in Afghanistan

Obama launches 1st major op in Afghanistan

Rediff.com2 Jul 2009

According to a New York Times report, the Marine Expeditionary Brigade is leading the operation, which has been described as the first major push in southern Afghanistan by the newly bolstered American force.

Bodies found in Afghanistan are 2 missing Japanese

Bodies found in Afghanistan are 2 missing Japanese

Rediff.com3 Sep 2005

Both teachers in Japan, they had been travelling in Pakistan in early August.

What Will Israel Do Next?

What Will Israel Do Next?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2024

In days of smart, networked technology and no shame over collateral damage, what will blow up next -- cars, mobile phones, TV sets, refrigerators? And where?, asks Shyam G Menon.

UK planned Taliban training camp in Afghanistan?

UK planned Taliban training camp in Afghanistan?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2008

'The camp would provide military training for 1,800 ordinary Taliban fighters and 200 low-level commanders,' an unnamed Afghan government official was quoted by The Independent as saying.

India, Iran sign 10-year Chabahar pact

India, Iran sign 10-year Chabahar pact

Rediff.com13 May 2024

India and Iran on Monday signed a 10-year contract for the operation of a terminal at the strategically important Chabahar port in Iran, a move that will boost regional connectivity as well as trade ties. This is the first time India will take over the management of an overseas port that will also have a multiplier effect on trade among India, Iran and Afghanistan as efforts continue to directly tap the potential in Central Asia, bypassing neighbouring Pakistan.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Osaka on Haiti, Afghanistan and feeling ungrateful

Osaka on Haiti, Afghanistan and feeling ungrateful

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

'And for me to just be hitting a tennis ball in the United States right now and have people come and watch me play ... I would want to be myself in this situation rather than anyone else in the world.'

Who Will Win Sri Lanka's Presidential Poll?

Who Will Win Sri Lanka's Presidential Poll?

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

'The Indian government is better prepared this time and has reached out to all contenders and not putting all eggs in one basket.'

Jaishankar's response to US warning on Chabahar port

Jaishankar's response to US warning on Chabahar port

Rediff.com15 May 2024

Speaking at a programme in Kolkata on Tuesday night, he said that in the past, even the US has been appreciative of the fact that the Chabahar port has a larger relevance.

US diplomatic presence in Afghanistan all but over: Media reports

US diplomatic presence in Afghanistan all but over: Media reports

Rediff.com28 Aug 2021

Some individuals or small families were still 'being pulled through the gates somehow' as of Saturday, CNN reported citing a source familiar with the situation.

Former Pakistan PM Gilani's kidnapped son recovered from Afghanistan

Former Pakistan PM Gilani's kidnapped son recovered from Afghanistan

Rediff.com10 May 2016

Ali Haider Gilani, son of ex-premier Gilani, has been recovered from Afghanistan's Ghazni province, Pakistan's Foreign Office said in a statement.

37 killed in 2 deadly attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan

37 killed in 2 deadly attacks in Pakistan's Balochistan

Rediff.com26 Aug 2024

The dead were identified as belonging to Punjab province. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Taliban parade captured US military equipment

Rediff.com3 Sep 2021

In the second-biggest city of Kandahar, a long line of green armoured vehicles was driven in single file on Wednesday, with the group's flags attached to it, Dawn reported cities agencies.

IPL Opener: Kohli targets historic feats vs CSK

IPL Opener: Kohli targets historic feats vs CSK

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

If Kohli scores six runs, he will become the first Indian in history to score 12,000 runs in T20s.

Is Kargil 2.0 In the Offing?

Is Kargil 2.0 In the Offing?

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

Pakistan may want to undertake a 'false flag' operation in J&K to divert attention from the situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but infiltrating one SSG battalion into J&K and having two SSG battalions waiting to follow suit means war, which Pakistan cannot afford in its current economic crisis, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

10 Taliban insurgents killed in Afghanistan

10 Taliban insurgents killed in Afghanistan

Rediff.com7 Apr 2012

At least ten Taliban insurgents were killed and 14 others captured in joint operations by coalition and local forces in different parts of Afghanistan, authorities said on Saturday.

Withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan to benefit China: Report

Withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan to benefit China: Report

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

'If the Chinese are bringing Pakistan more 'behind the curtain,' in terms of intelligence and military cooperation, it will be tailored to their common interests like confronting India over territorial disputes'

Jaishankar discusses Red Sea crisis with Iranian counterpart

Jaishankar discusses Red Sea crisis with Iranian counterpart

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held wide ranging discussions with Iranian counterpart Hossein Amirabdollahian in Tehran and their discussion focused on the long term framework for India's involvement with the strategically vital Chabahar port and the North-South connectivity project.

Indian driver kidnapped by Taliban

Indian driver kidnapped by Taliban

Rediff.com20 Nov 2005

A spokesman for Taliban, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, rang an international news agency to confirm that the Taliban had kidnapped the four men.

6 killed in Taliban attack in Kabul

6 killed in Taliban attack in Kabul

Rediff.com3 Apr 2012

Six people, including four policemen, were killed in southern Afghanistan by Taliban insurgents, who first poisoned their food and then launched an attack on their checkpoint.

No proof of Karzai's bro being a drug lord: Kerry

No proof of Karzai's bro being a drug lord: Kerry

Rediff.com27 Oct 2009

Despite claims that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's younger brother Ahmad Wali Khan Karzai is a drug lord, Senator John F Kerry says no US agency has given him proof.

2 British soldiers killed by man in Afghan uniform

2 British soldiers killed by man in Afghan uniform

Rediff.com26 Mar 2012

Two British soldiers were gunned down on Monday by a man in an Afghan army uniform in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, officials said in Kabul.

PCB cautions fast bowler Dahani for his social media rants

PCB cautions fast bowler Dahani for his social media rants

Rediff.com11 Aug 2023

Pakistan's young fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani was verbally cautioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board for his tweet after he was not considered for the one-day series against Afghanistan and the Asia Cup.

Civilians killing: Karzai slams US for lack of cooperation

Civilians killing: Karzai slams US for lack of cooperation

Rediff.com16 Mar 2012

Slamming the United States for lack of cooperation in the probe into the massacre of 16 villagers in a house-to-house rampage by an American army sniper, an enraged Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Friday said he is at the "the end of the rope".