LIVE: ISIS claims responsibility for rocket attack on Kabul airport

Afghanistan crisis LIVE updates: A US drone strike struck a vehicle carrying 'suicide bombers' before they could target the ongoing military evacuation at Kabul airport. Stay tuned for the latest news

5:30 PM

Taliban says US drone strike in Kabul also killed civilians

5:21 PM

'Far greater humanitarian crisis' looms in Afghanistan - UNHCR

5:19 PM

Indian Air Force C-17, C-130J aircraft back from Afghan evacuation operations

After helping in the evacuation of more than 500 Indians from Afghanistan, Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft have returned to their respective home bases in the country, ANI reported.

The Indian Air Force had deployed its C-17 Globemasters and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for evacuation operations of Indians stuck in Afghanistan, which is now under the reins of the Taliban.

"The C-17 and C-130J aircraft have returned to their respective bases after deployment in Tajikistan and Afghanistan for people stuck in Kabul and other cities of the war-torn country," sources told ANI.

4:52 PM

Sri Lanka seeks safety of travellers from Afghanistan

Sri Lanka on Monday hoped that all those who possess travel authorisation from other countries would be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to the points of departure and travel out of Afghanistan, PTI reported.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that it continues to monitor the developments in the war-torn country and remains concerned about the situation, including its humanitarian aspect.

Sri Lanka hopes that all those who possess travel authorisation from other countries will be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to the points of departure and travel out of Afghanistan," the ministry said.

4:51 PM

Afghanistan's scientists fear loss of funding, research

The withdrawal of US forces and return of the Taliban in Afghanistan has stoked much fear and dejection among research scientists who predict huge losses not only in terms of funding but also of science, IANS reported.

During their reign from 1996-2001, the fundamentalist group brutally enforced a conservative version of Islamic Sharia law, characterised by women's-rights violations and suppression of freedom of expression, Nature reported.

But after they were overthrown in 2001 by a US-led coalition and a new government elected in 2004, international funding including from the World Bank, the US Agency for International Development and other organisations poured into Afghanistan and universities thrived.

4:50 PM

Pak to deliver WHO medical supplies in Taliban-controlled Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan

Pakistan said on Monday that it would deliver WHO medical supplies to northern Afghanistan's Mazar-e-Sharif, the fourth largest city of the country which fell to the Taliban on August 14, reported PTI.

Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan announced on Twitter that the country's flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) would deliver the medical supplies of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a cargo flight.

First PIA Cargo flight with WHO medical supplies from Islamabad to Mazar Sharif today. A humanitarian air bridge for essential supplies to Afghanistan in coordination with international agencies. Thanx PIA, he said in a tweet.

1:26 PM

India watching developments in Afghanistan: Rajnath

The crisis in Afghanistan has raised new security questions, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Monday, asserting the Central government is alert against terrorism from across the border. "What is happening in neighbouring Afghanistan is raising new questions in terms of security and our government is keeping a watch on the developments there," said Singh in a lecture organised by Panjab University. 

1:14 PM

Germany could tighten border controls

Germany is monitoring refugee movements out of Afghanistan and other countries in the region and will tighten border controls if needed, Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told a newspaper, according to Bloomberg. “We will do everything to prevent an uncontrolled flow of migrants to Europe,” he said. “Not everyone who wants to can come.”

12:20 PM

US defences intercept 5 rockets fired at Kabul airport

US anti-missile defences intercepted as many as five rockets that were fired at Kabul's airport early on Monday morning, an official said, as the United States rushed to complete its withdrawal from Afghanistan to end its longest war. US and allied forces are set to complete their own withdrawal by Tuesday, after having evacuated about 114,400 people--including foreign nationals and "at risk" Afghans.

11:11 AM

Rockets hit neighbourhood near Kabul airport amid US pullout

Rockets struck a neighbourhood near Kabul's international airport on Monday amid the ongoing US withdrawal from Afghanistan. It wasn't immediately clear who launched them, the AP reported. US military cargo planes continued their evacuations at the airport after the rocket fire.

 

10:19 AM

US will keep striking at ISIS group: Jake Sullivan

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan signaled that the US will keep targeting Islamic State in Afghanistan, saying two members killed in an air strike on Friday had been planning additional attacks. President Joe Biden “will stop at nothing to make ISIS-K pay,” Sullivan said on a TV show, according to Bloomberg.

9:44 AM

Multiple rockets fired at Kabul airport

Multiple rockets were fired at Kabul's international airport but were intercepted by a missile defense system, a U.S. official told Reuters citing initial information.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said as many as 5 rockets were fired.

9:36 AM

Taliban take over from US control of 3 gates at Kabul airport

The Taliban have taken over control of three gates at Kabul’s airport from US forces and will be in charge of the rest soon, Bloomberg reported quoting an official from the group. “The whole airport is slowly coming under the control of the Taliban,” Enhamullah Samangani, said by telephone. The group is “looking forward to operating the airport after they all leave by Tuesday,” he said.

9:06 AM

US embassy advises Americans to leave Kabul airport area

Americans were also told to leave the vicinity of Kabul airport immediately following a “specific, credible threat,” the US embassy in Afghanistan said in a statement that advised citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and avoid all gates. Bloomberg reported this

8:30 AM

Macron to propose UN 'safe zone' in Kabul

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the creation of a “safe zone” under United Nations control in Kabul to allow continued humanitarian operations and help outside countries maintain pressure on the Taliban. Macron plans to propose a resolution along with the UK at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday, Bloomberg quoted Macron as saying in an interview with a French newspaper.