Huge weaponry discovered, 58 detained in Afghanistan 

July 13, 2025

Hans India

13 July 2025

Police have discovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Afghanistan’s Helmand province over the past three months, with 58 people arrested, Provincial director for counter-criminal activities Mawlawi Abdul Satar Amin said on Sunday.

Kabul: Police have discovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Afghanistan’s Helmand province over the past three months, with 58 people arrested, Provincial director for counter-criminal activities Mawlawi Abdul Satar Amin said on Sunday. The weaponry, which included 45 pieces of pistols, seven pieces of Kalashnikovs, nine pieces of other types of assault rifles, hundreds of projectiles and other military equipment, was discovered during operations in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah and several districts over the past three months, the official said.

All the collected arms and ammunition were handed over to the concerned authorities recently, the official asserted. Police have also taken into custody 58 individuals on charges of involvement in criminal activities such as theft, armed robbery, and murder, the official said, adding police won’t allow anyone to create law and order problems in the province, Xinhua news agency reported.

In similar operations, police also reported the discovery of arms and ammunition, including 13 pieces of AK-47 and six rocket launchers, in Helmand’s neighbouring Kandahar province on Saturday. On July 5, the counter-terrorism police discovered a similar case, including more than 100 pieces of firearms, during a series of operations in the same province over the past two months, said a statement of the Ministry for Interior Affairs.

The 105 pieces of variety of assault rifles including 14 stocks of Kalashnikovs, 63 pieces of pistols, a rocket propelled grenade, some machineguns and more than 3,000 of bullets of light and heavy weapons have been recovered during operations in different parts of the province, the statement posted on the Ministry’s X account added. Police have also taken into custody a number of people for carrying arms illegally and handed them over to the judiciary for further investigation, the statement noted, without revealing the exact number of individuals detained back then. In similar operations, police also discovered and seized six AK-47 assault rifles in the northern Sari Pul province the week before.

Huge weaponry discovered, 58 detained in Afghanistan 
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UN warns of crisis as 3 million Afghan migrants may return

July 12, 2025
Khaama Press

 

The UN warns of a growing humanitarian crisis as up to 3 million Afghan migrants are expected to return from Iran and Pakistan by year’s end.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that by the end of this year, up to three million Afghan migrants could return from Iran and Pakistan—an exodus that could severely worsen the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Arafat Jamal, UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, stated during an online press briefing from Kabul on Friday, July 11, that over 1.6 million Afghans—mostly from Iran—have already returned to the country in recent months.

He described the return process as “disorderly, degrading, and large-scale,” adding that many families are arriving in Afghanistan exhausted, distressed, and without basic resources. Their return is placing intense pressure on already struggling local communities.

According to UN data, more than 30,000 individuals are crossing daily into Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border point alone. This mass return has overwhelmed border services and reception facilities.

In response, UNHCR and partner organizations have launched emergency measures to provide clean water, health services, nutrition, and vaccinations to thousands of returnees each day. These efforts aim to reduce the immediate risks faced by vulnerable returnees.

The UN refugee agency has stressed that without proper planning and resources, the situation could spiral further out of control, pushing thousands of families into deeper poverty and insecurity. UNHCR has appealed for urgent humanitarian support to manage the crisis effectively.

As the return influx continues, the international community faces growing pressure to scale up humanitarian funding and logistical support. Without it, Afghanistan could face a catastrophic increase in displacement, malnutrition, and health crises, especially among women and children.

Stabilizing the situation will require not only short-term aid but also long-term reintegration efforts to help returnees rebuild their lives. The UN has called on donor countries and regional partners to act quickly to prevent a worsening tragedy.

UN warns of crisis as 3 million Afghan migrants may return
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US Court rejects delay of Afghan TPS end, deportation to begin July 14

July 12, 2025
Khaama Press

A U.S. federal court rejected delaying the end of Afghan TPS, placing thousands at risk of deportation and loss of work rights.

A U.S. federal court has rejected a request to delay the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan nationals living in the United States. This means that starting July 14, 2025, many Afghans may lose their work permits and face deportation.

The decision was made by Judge Theodore Chuang from the U.S. District Court in Maryland on July 10. He said that even though the legal case is still going on, Afghan TPS holders will not be allowed to keep their legal rights during this time.

This ruling affects about 11,700 Afghan migrants in the U.S. They were granted TPS after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, making it unsafe for them to return.

Immigrant rights groups challenged the government’s decision in court. They argue that ending TPS for Afghans is unfair and politically motivated. They say the government is ignoring the serious human rights problems in Afghanistan, especially for vulnerable groups.

Human rights defenders warn that sending Afghans—especially women and girls—back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is dangerous. Under Taliban rule, women have little access to education, jobs, or basic freedoms.

Reports by Human Rights Watch and the UN show that the Taliban’s treatment of women is so extreme that it amounts to “gender apartheid.” The situation in the country remains dangerous, with violence and oppression continuing.

Because of these risks, legal and human rights groups are urging the U.S. government and Congress to act quickly. They recommend extending humanitarian support or passing laws like the Afghan Adjustment Act to protect Afghan migrants. Without action, deported Afghans could face serious harm.

US Court rejects delay of Afghan TPS end, deportation to begin July 14
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Germany Considers Handing Afghan Consulate to “Taliban” for Deportations

July 12, 2025
Hayatullah Rahimi
Journalist & Digital Editor
Tolo News
12 July 2025

Speaking to a German media outlet, Dobrindt emphasized that this move does not equate to officially recognizing the “Taliban”.

Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has said that in order to deport Afghan “criminal” refugees from Germany, the Afghan consulate in Berlin should be handed over to the “Taliban”.

Speaking to a German media outlet, Dobrindt emphasized that this move does not equate to officially recognizing the “Taliban”. He added that he has reached an agreement on this issue with Germany’s Foreign Minister.

He explained that due to the lack of a formal agreement with the Islamic Emirate, Germany is currently unable to deport Afghan refugees or extend their detention periods for deportation purposes.

“One of the problems I recognize and needs to be resolved is how we can properly carry out deportations. Until we have an agreement, we cannot send anyone back to Afghanistan, and I cannot extend the detention period for deportation,” the German Interior Minister said.

The same German outlet also spoke with Abdulmutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Islamic Emirate, who said that the return of Afghan refugees from Germany must be conducted voluntarily. He added that the German government must provide financial support for their reintegration in Afghanistan to enable them to stay long term.

Abdulmutalib Haqqani said: “We accept our citizens back from Germany, but it must be voluntary, not forced. Additionally, the German government should financially support their resettlement in Afghanistan so they can remain permanently.”

Regarding the punishment of these criminal Afghan refugees, the spokesperson said that decisions will be made in accordance with Islamic Sharia law after verifying the documents.

Germany has previously deported some Afghan refugees accused of crimes back to Afghanistan.

This comes at a time when hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from Iran and Pakistan in recent months, and the process is still ongoing.

Germany Considers Handing Afghan Consulate to “Taliban” for Deportations
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UNHCR Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Amid Forced Afghan Repatriations

July 12, 2025
Shabnam Amini
Tolo News
12 July 2025

Arafat Jamal, the head of UNHCR in Afghanistan, stated at a press conference that the country is not adequately prepared to receive this influx of returnees.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the widespread and disorganized return of Afghan refugees from Iran and Pakistan, describing the situation in Afghanistan as critical.

Arafat Jamal, the head of UNHCR in Afghanistan, stated at a press conference that the country is not adequately prepared to receive this influx of returnees.

He called for restraint, financial support, international dialogue, and cooperation to better manage this chaotic situation and achieve a more stable outcome.

Arafat Jamal said: “However, today what we are seeing is the undignified, disorganized, and massive exodus of Afghans from both countries, which is generating enormous pressures on the homeland that is willing to receive them and yet utterly unprepared to do so. We are calling for restraint.”

According to him, over 1.6 million Afghans including 1.3 million from Iran have returned to the country so far this year, a figure far exceeding the UN’s forecasts.

Jamal described the intensity of this trend as alarming, noting that on some days, more than 50,000 people have been reported crossing through the Islam Qala border.

He added: “Of concern to us is the scale, the intensity, and the manner in which returns are occurring. In terms of the scale, over 1.6 million Afghans have returned from both Pakistan and Iran this year alone, including 1.3 million from Iran.”

Some Afghan refugees residing in Iran have voiced concerns over forced deportations, saying they are unable to go to work and are being detained from markets and workplaces.

Enayat Alokozai, an Afghan refugee in Iran, said: “We are facing a humanitarian disaster in the refugee sector. Afghan refugees in Iran are facing serious challenges and are being arrested from marketplaces and workplaces.”

The UN’s warning comes as the deportation of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, especially Iran has intensified.

UNHCR Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Amid Forced Afghan Repatriations
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Up to 30,000 Afghans Return Daily from Iran, Say Officials

July 11, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
11 June 202225

Some of the returnees, referring to the difficult living conditions in Iran, expressed happiness about returning to their homeland.

Government officials say that in order to address the challenges faced by these returnees, facilities have been established at the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat.

The Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, who visited Islam Qala, has called on the private sector and the general public to actively participate in providing food, water, and assistance in transporting the returnees to various provinces.

Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated:“My call to all citizens, traders, and wealthy individuals is to come forward and join the Islamic Emirate in showing solidarity and compassion with these people.”

According to figures from Herat’s local authorities, around half a million Afghan migrants have returned to the country through Islam Qala border in the past 20 days.

Abdul Ghani Kamil, the head of committees at Islam Qala and the district governor of Kohsan, also said: “Based on what we have seen over the past 15 to 20 days, nearly 500,000 migrants have likely returned, as around 30,000 people enter the country every day.”

Some of the returnees, referring to the difficult living conditions in Iran, expressed happiness about returning to their homeland.

They called on the caretaker government to provide them with employment opportunities.

Ahmad Zia, a returnee from Iran, said: “We no longer intend to go to foreign countries. Even if we eat only a piece of bread, we want to live in our own country with dignity and honor.”

Another returnee from Iran, Matiullah, also stated: “If these youth are provided with jobs, none of them will leave the country. They will work in their homeland and stay where they belong.”

According to local officials in Herat, between 20,000 to 25,000 people return daily through the Islam Qala border.

Figures from the caretaker government indicate that, in addition to Islam Qala, more than 4,000 Afghan migrants return to the country daily via the Silk Bridge in Nimroz, Spin Boldak in Kandahar, and Torkham in Nangarhar, from both Iran and Pakistan.

Up to 30,000 Afghans Return Daily from Iran, Say Officials
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WHO warns of rising infectious diseases among deported Afghan migrants

July 11, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

 

WHO warns of rising infectious diseases among deported Afghan migrants, citing poor sanitary conditions and urgent need for expanded medical support.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the growing spread of infectious diseases and poor sanitary conditions among Afghan migrants deported from neighboring countries. WHO reports a surge in respiratory infections, diarrhea, skin conditions like scabies, and suspected COVID-19 cases among returnees.

On-the-ground assessments at key border points—particularly Islam Qala in Herat Province—show that upper respiratory infections are the most common ailments, followed closely by diarrhea and dehydration, especially among children and the elderly. Suspected cases of scabies and COVID-19 have also been reported.

In response, WHO has launched emergency health screenings and mass vaccination campaigns in collaboration with local health authorities at Islam Qala and Spin Boldak border crossings. These initiatives aim to prevent further outbreaks and provide critical care to vulnerable populations.

According to WHO, over 8,700 children received oral polio vaccines, and more than 8,300 individuals received injectable polio vaccines at the Islam Qala crossing alone. Thousands of returnee children have also been vaccinated against measles in high-risk border areas.

In total, nearly 29,000 people have been screened or vaccinated at major border points including Spin Boldak, Torkham, and Islam Qala. WHO mobile health teams are stationed at reception centers and zero-point borders, conducting daily health checks on hundreds of returnees.

In just a short monitoring period, WHO identified more than 840 individuals showing symptoms of infectious disease, all of whom received immediate medical care. The organization emphasized the urgency of increasing medical resources and staff capacity to deal with rising health risks.

As the number of deported Afghan migrants continues to grow, WHO stresses that expanded funding and coordinated efforts are urgently needed to prevent large-scale disease outbreaks and provide adequate care for returnees in crisis.

WHO warns of rising infectious diseases among deported Afghan migrants
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UN warns: New Media Restrictions in Afghanistan fuel fear and self-censorship

July 11, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

 

UN warns that new media restrictions in Afghanistan are fueling widespread fear, tightening control, and significantly increasing self-censorship among journalists.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed serious concern over a new media directive issued by the Taliban. The agency warned that the policy, which requires pre-approval of political programs and guests by the Taliban government, will increase fear and self-censorship among Afghanistan media outlets.

UNAMA’s statement, released on Thursday, July 10, 2025, on X, said the new guidelines formalize previous restrictive actions and further erode press freedom in the country. The move follows a pattern of escalating media censorship since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has circulated a four-page document titled “Policy for Holding Political Programs (Roundtables) in Afghanistan” to local media. This directive obliges outlets to submit all political content to the ministry before broadcasting. Participants in such programs must receive prior approval and ID cards from the Taliban.

According to the document, political programming must align with the “Islamic Emirate’s policies.” Any criticism of the Taliban or deviation from “national unity and values” could result in harsh penalties, including the suspension of media licenses.

The ministry has further instructed media to criticize Taliban officials only in a “respectful manner” and within what it describes as the framework of Islamic law. Analysts view these instructions as a veiled threat to independent journalism.

Since reclaiming power, the Taliban have dramatically restricted press freedom, silenced dissent, and jailed or intimidated journalists. Their new media policy institutionalizes these crackdowns by placing direct editorial control under government scrutiny.

These developments have contributed to Afghanistan’s plummet in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where it ranks 175th out of 180 countries with just 17.88 points—a stark drop compared to previous years.

The international community, including media watchdogs and human rights groups, has called on the Taliban to reverse these draconian measures. Without urgent action, Afghanistan risks becoming one of the most repressive environments in the world for free expression and independent journalism.

UN warns: New Media Restrictions in Afghanistan fuel fear and self-censorship
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Japanese Ambassador Urges Reopening Schools for Afghan Girls

July 11, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
10 July 2025
Meanwhile, girls who turned to private institutes after universities were closed are now demanding the reopening of schools and universities.
Takayoshi Kuromaya, the Japanese ambassador in Kabul, has called on the caretaker government to reopen the doors of education for girls.

Speaking at an event marking Japan’s support for Afghanistan’s healthcare sector, he emphasized that the lack of access to medical education for women poses a serious threat to the country’s healthcare system.

Takayoshi Kuromaya said: “I respectfully urge the de facto authorities to consider allowing girls to return to school, especially in areas such as medicine, nursing, and public health. This is not just a matter of individual opportunity, it is crucial for national health and well-being. Supporting girls’ education strengthens the entire society. It builds a healthier, more resilient Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, girls who turned to private institutes after universities were closed are now demanding the reopening of schools and universities.

Tahmina and Marsal, two of these students, said that although university doors were closed to them, they have continued their educational paths with hope and determination.

Tahmina, a midwifery student, said: “We went through the Kankor exam with all its difficulties. We studied for a year, but then our university was shut down, which brought us a lot of depression. Still, we tried and went to private institutes, but they were closed to us as well.”

Marsal, also a midwifery student, said: “My request from the Islamic Emirate is this: we followed all your instructions we wore hijab, we wore burqas. Now we ask that the doors of schools and universities be reopened to girls so they can pursue their dreams.”

These students stress that access to education in medical fields is crucial not only for their future, but also for the health of society—especially for women and children in remote areas.

Women’s rights activists, emphasizing the need for female education, say that the continuation of these restrictions is alarming and that denying girls access to education will have long-term consequences for society.

Tafsir Siyahposh, a women’s rights activist, said: “Education is the most vital need in Afghan society today. If the mothers of tomorrow are uneducated, how can we claim to have a bright future for our beloved country, Afghanistan? Today, it is essential that the doors of schools and universities be reopened and that these growing restrictions be reduced.”

Although the Islamic Emirate has recently made no statements about reopening educational institutions for girls, it has consistently maintained that the issue is a domestic matter and has asked countries and international organizations not to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

Japanese Ambassador Urges Reopening Schools for Afghan Girls
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Pakistani forces kill 8 militants from Afghanistan in Bajaur border

July 9, 2025

Hindustan Times

July 09, 2025
A child was injured in the crossfire. This operation comes after a deadly bombing in Khar that left five dead and 17 injured.

Pakistani security forces shot dead eight militants attempting to infiltrate into the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from Afghanistan’s Kunar province, officials said on Wednesday.

Troops responded swiftly, engaging the group and eliminating all eight militants, the officials said.

A child was also injured in the crossfire. He was initially treated at Larkholozo Hospital and later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Khar.

After the operation, surveillance and monitoring were further tightened across the border areas to prevent any future infiltration attempts.

Though the military’s media cell, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has yet to issue an official statement, local residents confirmed intense clashes in the area, which reportedly lasted for several hours.

Pakistani forces kill 8 militants from Afghanistan in Bajaur border
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