Date expected for Kabul-Taliban meeting

Taliban militants on Tuesday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 14 people in Parwan province.

The fourth round of the key quadrilateral meeting on Afghan peace process started here on Tuesday.

Wahid Sediqqi, spokesman for the provincial governor, gave a lower toll of 14 dead, including 6 policemen and 8civilians, and said the bomber was riding a motorcycle.

The attack occurred in the district of Siagerd, a remote mountainous area where the Taliban are firmly entrenched. All this happened in the backdrop of frantic efforts made by Pakistan to extend a helping hand to Afghanistan in overcoming its problems including extending all support in holding of Afghan Presidential elections in a peaceful environment. Pakistan successfully arranged first round of direct peace talks between Kabul and Taliban in Murree and its outcome was quite satisfactory, but, hurdles were created deliberately in the way of peace talks and then a blame game was initiated vitiating the atmosphere for resumption of the dialogue.

The decision was criticised by Abdul Majeed Akhundzada, deputy chief of the provincial council.

Mr Rahimi said the soldiers had moved to other parts of Helmand such as the heavily-contested districts of Lashkar Gah and Sangin.

“We have withdrawn our forces from Nawzad and Musa Qala based on military plans”, said Mohammad Rasoul Zazai, a spokesman for the 215th army Corps.

Helmand has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the Taliban s battle against local and foreign forces that began in 2001.

All four countries underscored the importance of bringing an end to the conflict in Afghanistan that continues to inflict senseless violence on the Afghan people and also breeds insecurity throughout the region.

Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity after about 15 years since the United States and its allies invaded the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.

The US has deployed several hundred troops in Helmand in recent weeks.