The United States has announced plans to deport six Afghan nationals accused of terrorism-related activity and serious criminal offences, citing public-safety concerns and tightened immigration scrutiny.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published photographs and case details of several Afghan nationals accused of terrorism-related activities or violent crimes after entering the United States under the Biden administration. DHS said the individuals represent “only a fraction” of offenders who “answered American generosity with violence.”
The release comes days after an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, allegedly shot two members of the U.S. National Guard in Washington, D.C., killing a 20-year-old soldier. The incident has intensified political pressure over Biden-era vetting procedures for Afghans admitted since 2021.
DHS cited cases including Jamal Wali’s police shooting, two Oklahoma terror-plot suspects, a former watch-list entrant later detained, and three others accused or convicted of assault and sexual-offence charges after receiving U.S. entry or legal status.
Rahmanullah Lakhanwal’s fatal DC shooting and Zabiullah Momand’s assault charges intensified scrutiny of Afghan entrants, prompting calls for tougher reviews and halted immigration processing.
DHS said Americans “should not have to face violence from people who should never have been here” and pledged that those convicted or posing threats would be deported. Immigration authorities have already paused all Afghan immigration-related applications pending further review.
U.S. President Donald Trump said every Afghan admitted under Biden “must be re-examined,” arguing that national security requires the removal of anyone who “does not belong in the country.” The State Department has also suspended visa issuance for all Afghan passport holders as Washington reassesses its screening procedures.
US to Deport Six Afghan Nationals Accused of Terror and Violent Crimes
Former envoy Asif Durrani warned that India’s deepening engagement with Kabul could undermine Pakistan’s security interests and threaten Afghanistan’s political stability.
Former Pakistani envoy for Afghanistan Asif Durrani has cautioned that India’s growing engagement with the Taliban could open a new front of strategic pressure on Pakistan, warning Kabul that such overtures risk undermining the group’s long-term political survival.
In a post on X on Monday, Durrani said the Taliban were “endangering themselves” by permitting New Delhi to deepen its presence in Kabul. He urged the group to “avoid a path of political suicide”, arguing that India’s outreach was aimed at expanding influence across the region at Pakistan’s expense.
His remarks come at a time of heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, marked by cross-border clashes, trade disruptions and diplomatic strains. Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of leveraging Afghanistan territory to destabilise its western frontier, a charge New Delhi dismisses as unfounded.
Observers say Durrani’s intervention reflects growing unease in Islamabad as the Kabul diversify their external ties, increasingly moving beyond Pakistan’s traditional sphere of influence. Analysts believe the recalibration is partly driven by the Taliban’s economic pressures and their quest for broader international legitimacy.
In recent weeks, diplomatic and commercial engagement between the Taliban administration and India has accelerated. New Delhi has highlighted trade facilitation, humanitarian assistance and regional connectivity as priority areas of cooperation. Within the past month, two senior Taliban officials; Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi, visited India for high-level talks, signalling a notable shift after years of minimal contact.
Regional experts note that India appears keen to restore some of the strategic influence it lost after the collapse of the former Afghanistan republic in 2021. The Taliban, meanwhile, may be seeking new partners to offset their isolation, though such moves carry risks that could further complicate relations with Pakistan.
Durrani’s comments underscore the intensifying geopolitical contest around Afghanistan, with Islamabad warning that unchecked realignments could heighten insecurity in an already fragile region. Analysts caution that the Taliban will have to navigate these emerging rivalries carefully as major regional actors jostle for strategic space.
Durrani Warns Kabul Against Allowing India to Expand Footprint Through Afghanistan
The UN has warned that Afghanistan’s recurring internet shutdowns are depriving women of vital, life-saving services and worsening an already severe digital gender gap.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned that Afghanistan’s nationwide internet disruptions are cutting women off from essential and life-saving services, deepening an already severe digital gender gap. In a message on X on Monday, the agency said limited connectivity directly undermines women’s ability to make informed decisions about their health, safety and future.
UN Women, in a separate report, said poor infrastructure and low literacy levels continue to restrict overall access to phones and the internet across Afghanistan. But the organisation stressed that women face far greater barriers due to entrenched social and cultural norms that limit their use of digital platforms.
The UN said any shutdown of mobile and internet services has an immediate impact on women and girls, severing their access to remote education, protection mechanisms and emergency support. Connectivity has become a critical lifeline for many women who are already restricted in their movement and public participation.
Humanitarian groups say the digital blackout highlighted the vulnerability of women, who rely heavily on online channels for health consultations, confidential support services and economic opportunities.
UN officials warn that without sustained and equitable internet access, the gender divide will widen further, undermining humanitarian efforts, isolating women from vital networks and eroding their ability to participate in any aspect of public life.
UN Warns Afghanistan’s Internet Restrictions Cutting Women Off From Life-Saving Services
Islamabad and Kabul resumed Saudi-hosted talks in Riyadh to ease border tensions, but sources say the effort failed again, with both sides yet to comment.
A senior Kabul delegation, comprising Anas Haqqani, Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi, travelled to Riyadh last week for talks with Pakistani officials, according to local media outlets. Saudi Arabia, which has recently positioned itself as a mediator, facilitated the meeting as part of efforts to ease mounting tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
People familiar with the discussions said the talks focused on restoring a structured communication channel and addressing persistent cross-border security concerns. The consultations, held behind closed doors, were expected to revive dialogue suspended after months of friction. However, the negotiations in Riyadh ended without progress, marking yet another failed attempt to bridge differences.
Sources reported that the talks “yielded no results,” echoing the collapse of earlier rounds held in Istanbul. The Taliban have not issued any statement on the Riyadh meeting, and Pakistan has also remained publicly silent. Previous efforts by Qatar and Turkey, including an emergency session in Doha that briefly produced a ceasefire, similarly failed to deliver a lasting agreement.
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have worsened in recent months following a rise in attacks Pakistan attributes to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), disagreements over border management, and clashes around key crossings such as Torkham. Islamabad continues to demand “decisive action” against armed groups allegedly operating from Afghanistan territory, an accusation the Taliban repeatedly dismiss.
With Saudi Arabia’s effort now joining earlier failed mediation attempts, analysts say the path to meaningful dialogue remains uncertain. Without a verifiable security framework or sustained diplomatic engagement, the Afghanistan–Pakistan relationship is expected to remain fragile and prone to renewed escalation.
Islamabad–Kabul Peace Talks Launched Under Saudi Mediation; Reports Say the Effort Failed Again
When Rahmanullah Lakanwal came to the U.S. from Afghanistan, he appeared lively and full of hope, but over the course of years, he slipped into isolation and was prone to taking cross-country drives without telling his family, according to a volunteer who worked closely with his family.
Lakanwal, an Afghan national, is accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers on Nov. 26. One of those soldiers, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, died from her wounds. On Monday, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey described the other guard member, 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe, as in “serious” condition.
“My biggest concern was that [Lakanwal] would harm himself,” the refugee resettlement volunteer told NPR. “I worried he would be suicidal because he was so withdrawn.”
They said when they first met Lakanwal in 2022 at his home in Bellingham, Wash., he appeared hopeful and outgoing. “He was outside with his kids, laughing and playing and having animated conversations with other Afghan men,” they said.
Lakanwal held jobs for brief periods and hosted gatherings at his home, the volunteer said, but by 2023 he began isolating himself and appeared “defeated” by the challenges of finding steady work and adapting to life in the United States.
The volunteer shared with NPR emails sent in January 2024 that raised alarms about Lakanwal’s well-being.
“He spends most of his time in his darkened bedroom, not speaking to anyone, not even his wife and older kids,” one email said. “I personally believe that [Mr. Lakanwal] is suffering from both PTSD and from his work with the US military in Afghanistan,” the volunteer wrote, adding that they are “not a healthcare professional.”
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said U.S. officials believe Lakanwal was “radicalized” while living in the United States.
“We do believe it was through connections in his home community and state, and we’re going to continue to talk to those who interacted with him,” Noem said.
But the volunteer who worked with Lakanwal and other Afghan refugees in Washington state told NPR they saw no sign of radicalization. Instead they described an individual who seemed to be experiencing a deepening personal crisis, complicated by Lakanwal’s poor English-language skills and deepening cultural isolation. The volunteer said there were no organized resources for refugees beyond their initial welcome.
“Families were just in my mind abandoned into the community,” the volunteer said.
This photo provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Nov. 27 shows Rahmanullah Lakanwal.
Before coming to the U.S. in 2021, Lakanwal served in one of Afghanistan’s elite counterterrorism units, according to AfghanEvac, a nonprofit that supports Afghan refugees and is run by U.S. veterans and others who served in Afghanistan. Lakanwal’s unit was operated by the CIA with direct U.S. intelligence and military support, according to AfghanEvac, and fought the Taliban on behalf of the U.S. government.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe said in a statement last week that the shooter involved in the attack was admitted into the U.S. “due to his prior work with the U.S. Government, including CIA.”
The volunteer told NPR they had no detailed knowledge of Lakanwal’s military duties and never observed him expressing hostility toward the United States. They said his increasingly erratic behavior never suggested any kind of threat or danger.
“I was so shocked that this happened. I asked myself, ‘Were there warning signs?’ No,” the volunteer said.
While the volunteer couldn’t provide insight into Lakanwal’s possible motive for the alleged attack, they were aware of him making long drives like the one that took him to Washington, D.C., last week. Beginning in 2023, Lakanwal would disappear for weeks at a time in the family car, roaming as far as Arizona and Illinois.
Emails shared with NPR also indicate volunteers in Washington state attempted to reach out to professional refugee aid groups, including World Relief and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), hoping to find help for Lakanwal’s deteriorating mental state, but they got limited response.
“A group of concerned individuals [volunteering on refugee resettlement] in the Seattle area had a meeting in January 2024 to talk about dwindling resources for these families, and frustration was expressed,” the volunteer told NPR.
NPR reached out to World Relief and USCRI for comment. USCRI didn’t respond. World Relief sent a statement declining to say whether the organization had any involvement in Lakanwal’s resettlement in the United States.
“We cannot confirm whether or not we have served any specific client without permission from our federal government partners who administered the process for bringing Afghans to the United States beginning in 2021,” the World Relief statement said.
The group added that it “provided services to those [refugees] assigned to use by our governmental partners” and said it is supporting law enforcement in the investigation of Lakanwal’s case.
Following last week’s violence, the Trump administration moved to freeze refugee cases involving Afghan nationals and launched a review of refugees and migrants from more than a dozen countries living legally inside the United States. Activists working with asylum-seekers from Afghanistan told NPR they view Lakanwal’s alleged violence as an isolated case.
“You can’t paint with a broad brush this entire community. The vast majority of Afghans who have come here are just good upstanding citizens,” said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who heads the group AfghanEvac.
Afghan suspect in D.C. National Guard attack appeared to suffer personal crisis
Senior military leaders suppressed reports of potential war crimes by elite troops, whistleblower testifies.
Senior United Kingdom special forces leaders covered up potential war crimes in Afghanistan, a former senior officer has told a public inquiry.
The former high-ranking officer alleged that two former directors of Britain’s special forces failed to act on claims that soldiers unlawfully killed civilians in Afghanistan while operating there more than 10 years ago, according to evidence released on Monday.
The whistleblower’s testimony alleged that commanders at the highest levels knew about suspected executions as early as 2011, but chose to bury the claims rather than report them to military police.
The evidence suggests the inaction allowed the killings to continue for at least two more years, raising questions about accountability within one of the world’s best training and lethal military units.
The officer, identified only as N1466 to protect his true identity, was among the most senior figures in UK special forces.
He told the inquiry he handed over what he described as “explosive” evidence pointing to criminal conduct by Special Air Service (SAS) troops operating in the country.
N1466 said he first grew concerned in early 2011 after reviewing reports from Afghanistan that showed an alarming pattern.
During one raid, nine Afghan men were killed, but only three weapons were recovered. The officer also heard that soldiers had been boasting during training about killing all fighting-age males during operations, irrespective of what threat they posed.
The whistleblower said he passed his findings to the director of special forces, making clear there was strong potential for criminal behaviour.
But instead of alerting investigators, the director ordered an internal review of tactics that N1466 dismissed as “a little fake exercise” designed to give the appearance of action while suppressing the truth.
When a second director took charge in 2012, the lethal pattern of behaviour wasn’t arrested.
That same year, two young parents were shot dead in their bed during a night raid in Nimruz province. Their infant sons, sleeping beside them, were also shot and seriously wounded. The incident was not reported to police.
N1466 said he eventually went to military police himself in 2015, but expressed deep regret at not acting sooner.
“Those people who died unnecessarily from that point onwards, there were two toddlers shot in their bed next to their parents, all that would not necessarily have come to pass” if the allegations had been properly handled, he said.
The investigation is examining whether around 80 Afghan civilians were unlawfully killed by British forces between 2010 and 2013.
It was launched in 2023 after a BBC documentary revealed that one SAS squadron had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances during just six months.
Johnny Mercer, the UK’s former veterans minister, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Monday that the process through which this information was coming to light “has to be done fairly”.
“We’re not going to get there by selectively releasing bits of commentary that fit a certain narrative,” Mercer said.
Despite previous military police investigations, no charges have ever been brought. The inquiry continues.
UK special forces chiefs covered up Afghanistan war crimes, inquiry told
Fidan stated that they discussed tensions between Kabul and Islamabad but did not provide further details.
As uncertainty looms over relations between Kabul and Islamabad, regional diplomatic efforts have intensified.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who was expected to lead a delegation to Islamabad to help ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, instead traveled to Tehran on Sunday (Sunday).
In a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Fidan stated that they discussed tensions between Kabul and Islamabad but did not provide further details.
Hakan Fidan said: “I spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister about various topics, including Afghanistan, Israeli expansionism, the ongoing nuclear consultations, and the tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Turkey has played an active and key role in three rounds of talks between Kabul and Islamabad and hosted the second and third rounds. After the third round of talks in Istanbul ended without results, Iran also expressed readiness to help resolve the tensions.
Iran’s foreign minister, after talks with his counterparts from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, and Russia, announced that a regional summit aimed at addressing issues between the two countries would be held in December.
But the key question remains: Can the coordinated efforts by Ankara and Tehran thaw the frosty relations between Kabul and Islamabad?
Fazl Menallah Mumtaz, a political analyst, said: “Turkey and Iran sense a threat that if this situation escalates into a full-scale conflict, it will become a regional crisis involving external actors. That’s why Turkey and Iran are taking this matter seriously.”
Moeen Gul Samakni, another political analyst, added: “Three countries are especially important, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, because they each have competing interests in Afghanistan. Therefore, they need to build a national and regional consensus to resolve this crisis.”
These regional efforts come as both sides, following the breakdown of recent talks, have accused each other of failing to present reasonable demands; allegations that have further complicated the atmosphere for dialogue.
Earlier, at the conclusion of the third round of talks in Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had announced that a high-level delegation including Turkey’s foreign minister, defense minister, and intelligence chief would travel to Islamabad to help resolve tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Diplomatic Efforts Grow Amid Uncertainty in Kabul-Islamabad Relations
Reuters reported that the U.S. President has informed the country’s consulates around the world that scheduled appointments for SIV applicants will not be canceled.
A number of Afghan citizens in the United States have expressed concern over recent decisions by the U.S. government regarding Afghan refugees, emphasizing that the recent shooting incident should not affect the situation of other Afghan citizens in the country.
Bawar, an Afghan citizen in the U.S., said: “With the recent developments, my hopes are once again fading. I think if these restrictions increase, our future will remain uncertain.”
On the other hand, Reuters reported that the U.S. President has informed the country’s consulates around the world that scheduled appointments for Afghan visa applicants will not be canceled.
Aref Saeedi, another Afghan citizen in the U.S., said: “Most people here have applied for green cards, and now it is unclear how far this process will go. This is not just my problem; everyone here is facing issues, especially those with P-1, P-2, and green card cases.”
The Washington Post, citing information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, reported that over 5,000 Afghan refugees who were relocated to the U.S. after the withdrawal of U.S. forces are under surveillance due to concerns linked to “national security.”
Views on the matter vary among citizens in Afghanistan as well.
Abdul Wali Ahmadzai, a resident of Kabul, said: “They have always been looking for an excuse to deport Afghan migrants, and this became a good excuse. I think they are exaggerating the matter too much.”
After a shooting by an Afghan citizen on November 27 targeting two members of the U.S. National Guard in Washington, the U.S. State Department announced the suspension of visa issuance for Afghan passport holders.
Afghan Refugees in U.S. Worry Over Uncertain Future Amid New Restrictions
The UN says organisations supporting women in Afghanistan have lost major funding this year, leaving essential protection services strained as restrictions and violence intensify.
UN Women warned that Afghanistan women’s organisations are facing a sharp funding shortfall even as gender-based violence rises under Taliban restrictions.
The warning came on Saturday as the agency marked the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
The agency said women’s groups have received less than 60% of the money needed this year, forcing shelters and service providers to reduce operations despite higher demand for support.
Reports of violence against women have climbed by 40% in the past two years, while access to legal protection remains limited due to Taliban rules on movement, work and education.
UN Women urged donors to restore financial support, warning that further cuts could shut down life-saving services for women across Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Humanitarian agencies caution that without swift donor support, vital shelters, legal aid systems and psychosocial services could collapse, leaving vulnerable women with no safe options.
UN Warns Services for Women in Afghanistan at Risk as Funding Dries Up
UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett will travel to Doha for meetings with Afghanistan representatives and regional officials as part of efforts to address Afghanistan’s worsening human rights situation.
The UN has announced that Richard Bennett, the Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur on Afghanistan, will travel to Doha from December 1 to 4 for meetings with Afghanistan representatives and regional and international partners.
According to a UN statement issued on Sunday, Bennett will hold talks with Qatari officials, Afghanistan civil society members, and diplomats based in Doha to assess the human-rights situation and explore coordinated approaches to supporting Afghanistan civilians.
The UN said Bennett’s mission is aimed at strengthening regional dialogue and using “all available tools” to improve the rights environment in Afghanistan, where restrictions on women, minorities and civil society have sharply escalated since the Taliban takeover.
Bennett’s mandate, which the Human Rights Council extended earlier this year, requires him to report on rights violations and engage governments on policy responses to Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian and human-rights landscape.
Despite the ongoing international engagement, the Taliban have barred Bennett from entering Afghanistan, accusing him of issuing politically motivated reports. As a result, he continues to meet Afghanistan activists, refugees and diaspora groups outside the country.
Human-rights organisations have urged the UN to intensify diplomatic pressure on the Taliban, warning that rights protections are collapsing and regional coordination remains weak.
Bennett’s consultations in Doha are expected to shape his next formal assessment to the Human Rights Council, outlining recommendations for an international strategy toward Afghanistan in 2025.
UN Rights Envoy Richard Bennett Travels to Doha for Talks on Afghanistan’s Human Rights Crisis
The United Nations says aid workers are still in a “race against time” to remove rubble and rebuild after the devastating earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan last month, killing at least 2,200 people and cutting off remote areas.
The 6.0-magnitude quake on Aug. 31 was shallow, destroying or causing extensive damage to low-rise buildings in the mountainous region. It hit late at night, and homes — mostly made of mud, wood, or rocks — collapsed instantly, becoming death traps.
Satellite data shows that about 40,500 truckloads of debris still needs to be cleared from affected areas in several provinces, the United Nations Development Program said Wednesday. Entire communities have been upended and families are sleeping in the open, it added.
The quake’s epicenter was in remote and rugged Kunar province, challenging rescue and relief efforts by the Taliban government and humanitarian groups. Authorities deployed helicopters or airdropped army commandos to evacuate survivors. Aid workers walked for hours on foot to reach isolated communities.
“This is a race against time,” said Devanand Ramiah, from the UNDP’s Crisis Bureau. “Debris removal and reconstruction operations must start safely and swiftly.”
People’s main demands were the reconstruction of houses and water supplies, according to a spokesman for a Taliban government committee tasked with helping survivors, Zia ur Rahman Speenghar.
People were getting assistance in cash, food, tents, beds, and other necessities, Speenghar said Thursday. Three new roads were under construction in the Dewagal Valley, and roads would be built to areas where there previously were none.
“Various countries and organizations have offered assistance in the construction of houses but that takes time. After the second round of assistance, work will begin on the third round, which is considering what kind of houses can be built here,” the spokesman said.
Afghanistan is facing a “perfect storm” of crises, including natural disasters like the recent earthquake, said Roza Otunbayeva, who leads the U.N. mission to the country.
Afghanistan Peace Campaign
