Pakistan air strike ‘kills 30′ in South Waziristan
February 20, 2010
At least 30 militants have been killed in Pakistani air strike near the Afghan border, the military says.
It says a militant “hideout” was hit in the Shawal mountains of South Waziristan, following a tip-off.
Taliban commander Mullah Baradar ’seized in Pakistan’
February 16, 2010
A man described as the top Afghan Taliban military commander and named as Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been captured in Pakistan, US officials say.
He was seized in a US-Pakistani raid seven to nine days ago, a Pakistani military official told the BBC.
Afghanistan avalanches kill 150 in Salang Pass
February 10, 2010
At least 150 people have been killed in a series of avalanches that have blocked a mountain pass north of Kabul, Afghan officials say.
Rescuers are trying to reach hundreds more people who are trapped in their vehicles in the Salang Pass.
Pakistan troops ‘capture Taliban base in Bajaur’
February 2, 2010
A major Taliban base in the north-western tribal region of Bajaur has been captured by Pakistani troops after days of fierce fighting, officials say.
Troops are now advancing on the militants’ main training area in the Damadola district of Bajaur.
US commander signals peace talks with Taliban
January 25, 2010
Nato’s top commander in Afghanistan has said increased troop levels could bring a negotiated peace with the Taliban.
US Gen Stanley McChrystal told the UK’s Financial Times newspaper that there had been “enough fighting”.
He said a political solution in all conflicts was “inevitable”. His remarks came as the top UN envoy in Kabul said it was time to talk to the militants.
Pakistan snubs US over new Taliban offensive
January 21, 2010
Pakistan’s army has said it will launch no new offensives on militants in 2010, as the US defence secretary arrived for talks on combating Taliban fighters.
Army spokesman Athar Abbas told the BBC the “overstretched” military had no plans for any fresh anti-militant operations over the next 12 months.
Indian communist leader Basu dies
January 17, 2010
Veteran Indian communist leader Jyoti Basu has died at the age of 95.
He led the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) and was chief minister of West Bengal state from 1977 to 2000.
Afghan MPs reject many new Karzai cabinet nominees
January 16, 2010
The Afghan parliament has rejected 10 of 17 new cabinet nominees suggested by President Hamid Karzai.
The vote comes two weeks after MPs turned down most of Mr Karzai’s first choices, dealing him a serious blow.
UN says Afghan civilian deaths rose in 2009
January 13, 2010
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan rose by 14% in 2009 compared with 2008, the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported.
It said that the “vast majority” of the deaths were caused by Taliban attacks.
The rise makes 2009 the worst year for Afghan civilians since the war began when the Taliban were overthrown in a US-led invasion in late 2001.
Afghans more optimistic for future, survey shows
January 11, 2010
Most Afghans are increasingly optimistic about the state of their country, a poll commissioned by the BBC, ABC News and Germany’s ARD shows.
Of more than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% said they believed Afghanistan was going in the right direction - a big jump from 40% a year ago.
Of those questioned, 68% now back the presence of US troops in Afghanistan, compared with 63% a year ago.
For Nato troops, including UK forces, support has risen from 59% to 62%.
The survey was conducted in all of the country’s 34 provinces in December 2009.
In 2009 only 51% of those surveyed had expected improvement and 13% thought conditions would deteriorate.
But in the latest survey 71% said they were optimistic about the situation in 12 months’ time, compared with 5% who said it would be worse.
Afghans seem more content with general living conditions
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The other significant theme which emerges from the figures is growing antipathy towards the Taliban.
Ninety per cent said they wanted their country run by the current government, compared with 6% who said they favoured a Taliban administration.
Sixty-nine per cent believed the Taliban posed the biggest danger to the country, and 66% blamed the Taliban, al-Qaeda and foreign militants for violence in Afghanistan.
Most Afghans appeared positive about the presence of troops from Nato and other countries stationed in Afghanistan.
The survey also asked if people thought it was good or bad that US forces entered Afghanistan in 2001 to drive out the Taliban. Of those questioned, 83% said it was either very good or mostly good. This compares with 69% for 2009.
However, more of those questioned believe troops with the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) are now worse at avoiding civilian casualties (43% worse and 24% better).
The presence of US troops in Afghanistan is backed by the majority
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There was some ambivalence about how long Isaf forces should remain in the country - 22% said they should leave within the next 18 months, and 21% said they should stay longer than 18 months from now.
Afghans appear more positive about their general living conditions and the availability of electricity, medical care and jobs compared with a year ago.
Insecurity and crime were slightly worse, they said, and freedom of movement slightly better.
Despite a presidential election last year mired in controversy over ballot rigging, 74% said they were either very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the outcome.
Also, 72% of Afghans rated President Hamid Karzai as excellent or good - compared with 52% 12 months ago - and 60% rated the performance of the present government as good or excellent, as opposed to 10% who thought it was poor.
One of the major issues facing Afghanistan is corruption among government officials or the police.
Of those surveyed, 95% identified it as a problem; 76% said it was a big problem and 19% said they considered it a moderate problem.
The survey was conducted by the Afghan Center for Socio-Economic and Opinion Research (Acsor) based in Kabul. Interviews were conducted in person, in Dari or Pashto, among a random national sample of 1,534 Afghan adults from 11-23 December 2009.
Source: bbc.co.uk/