http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/key-syria-players-seek-path-war-151029142944978.html
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Afghan security forces retake Taliban-held district
Afghan security forces have retaken control of the Ghormach district after it was overrun by the Taliban several days ago.
On Saturday, Faryab's deputy provincial police chief Baryalai Basharyar said that government forces raised the Afghan flag above the district headquarters following a three-day offensive.
The district had fallen to the Taliban on Sunday after heavy clashes broke out.
Basharyar confirmed the killings of Ghormach district police chief Abdul Majid and at least 12 other policemen. The circumstances of their deaths are unknown.
Searches continue
"Commander Majid, the brave police chief, didn't leave his stronghold to the enemy until he was wounded and captured by the Taliban," said Basharyar.
Dawlat Waziri, a spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry, told Al Jazeera that government forces remain active in the district which is home to more than 50,000 people.
"We have defeated the Taliban and cleared the district," said Waziri. "However, on-ground search operations are still ongoing to clear the district completely from the Taliban resistance."
Fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces has intensified across the country.
Escalating insurgency
Afghan soldiers and police struggle to contain an escalating insurgency that has targeted several cities in recent weeks.
Late last month, Taliban fighters briefly took over Kunduz before they were driven out of the strategic northern city by Afghan forces, backed by US air strikes.
The brief fall of Kunduz dealt a major blow to the country's NATO-trained security forces and highlighted the Taliban's potential to expand beyond its rural strongholds.
Nearly two months after Taliban appointed Mullah Akhtar Mansoor as its leader, the armed group has captured new territories in northern and eastern Afghanistan and is reportedly advancing.
Rescuers hunt for survivors of Afghan-Pakistan quake
Rescuers are rushing to deliver relief aid to victims of a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan and Pakistan, killing more than 300 people over a wide swath of mostly mountainous terrain.
Thousands spent the night outdoors in near-freezing temperatures reluctant to go back inside for fear of aftershocks, Pakistani media reported on early on Tuesday.
"Rescue work is ongoing, and tents, blankets and sleeping mats are being provided," Latif ur Rehman, a Pakistani disaster management official, told Reuters from the northwestern city of Peshawar.
Pakistan's military and civilian authorities dispatched several helicopters to affected areas to assess damage and run rescue operations, the National Disaster Management Authority said.
The total death toll stood at 382 with at least 267 people killed in Pakistan and at least 115 more in Afghanistan, according to official reports from the two countries. More than 2,000 people have been injured.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Kabal Swat in the Swat Valley area, said rescue teams have been fanning out in the area to try to assess the extent of the damage following the quake.
At least 130 people have been reported killed in the Swat Valley area, he said, adding that many of the schools in the area have been closed for fear that it could collapse in case of major aftershocks. At least 1,900 homes and other buildings have been damaged.
"People are also trying to retrieve whatever they can from the rubble," he said. Over 2,000 tents have been distributed for the homeless.
The death toll could climb in coming days because communications were down in much of the rugged Hindu Kush mountain range where the quake was centred.
Landslides in mountainous northern Pakistan over the weekend caused by heavy rain and snow had already left thousands of tourists stranded.
Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, cut short his visit to the United Kingdom to fly home to deal with the emergency.
"We will try our best to deal with this disaster using our own resources," he said.
Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani urged his countrymen to help those in need.
"I demand all Afghans, my fellow countrymen, to help each other if they are in the affected areas," he said.
Al Jazeera's Jennifer Glasse, reporting from Kabul, said rescuers are facing challenges in getting to the mountainous areas of Afghanistan.
"It's further complicated by the fact that some of the areas are controlled by the Taliban," she said while adding that the armed group has also called on Afghans and aid organisations to extend help to victims.
In an audio message on Tuesday, Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor urged his fighters to avoid harming public facilities, and to "treat people right", while reassuring unity among the ranks of fighters.
Hundreds of houses destroyed
The earthquake struck almost exactly six months after Nepal suffered its worst quake on record on April 25.
The quake was 213km deep and centred 254km northeast of Kabul.
In Afghanistan, where rescue and relief work is likely to be complicated by security threats created by an escalating Taliban insurgency, more than 100 people were reported dead in several provinces including Badakhshan, where hundreds were killed in mudslides last year.
Hundreds of houses were destroyed, creating additional hardship with winter temperatures setting in.
Fears for future of Pakistani schools damaged in quake
The visible cracks in the walls and pillars of Jehanzaib College in the Swat district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, shows the devastation caused by Monday's earthquake.
About 4,000 students at the college fear continuing aftershocks could cause the building to collapse.
Initial reports compiled by Pakistan's Elementary and Secondary Education Department state that 110 schools in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa were extensively damaged and 703 others were partially damaged.
This region is no stranger to devastation caused by earthquakes. The last one, in 2005, damaged 3,669 schools and colleges, including Jehanzaib.
"The 2005 earthquake had shaken the college building," said Professor Sarwar Khan, chair of chemistry at the college.
"The government never provided us with funds to rebuild the school. Now, the earthquake has caused fear among students and staff."
"Even a low magnitude shock will collapse the entire institution which may cause casualties."
Students are reluctant to return to class in the affected mountainous regions, saying neither the government nor their schools have made alternative arrangements.
"Now we have to choose. We either risk our lives and continue attending college or say goodbye to our career," said zoology student Ehtisham Khan.
"I think something needs to be done as we definitely cannot give up on our education," he said.
Some students who did return to schools ended up having their lessons in tents or out in the open.
"After Monday’s earthquake, my college is badly damaged and we cannot sit inside our classrooms," said Andaleb Khan who studies at the Intermediate Government Girls College.
"It's winter here now and we cannot sit outside for our classes anymore. We are just two months away from our final exams."
'Government not interested'
Mehmood Aslam Wazir, the second-highest ranking civilian administrator in Swat, told Al Jazeera that funds would be released soon for the reconstruction of schools.
"I have issued instructions to Executive Directors of Education that they should work on preparing reports on damaged schools and colleges with the cost they need for reconstruction," he said.
"We will not tolerate any delays or hindrance in our children’s education."
However, the government does not have a good track record when it comes to reconstruction.
Of the more than 3,000 schools and colleges affected in the 2005 earthquake, only 1,605 have been rebuilt.
Jehanzaib college student Jawad Khan does not expect things to be any different this time.
"Our government is not interested in the reconstruction of our schools and colleges, this has happened before and will continue to happen," he said. "I can't seem to build my career here."
This week's 7.5 magnitude earthquake killed at least 267 people in Pakistan and 115 in Afghanistan, where it originated.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Widespread destruction from South Asia quake
Hundreds die and thousands made homeless in Afghanistan and Pakistan as powerful earthquake rocks South Asia.
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A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has hit northern Afghanistan's Hindu Kush mountain range, causing widespread damage in Pakistan and India as well.
Monday's quake killed at least 253 people in Pakistan, 83 in Afghanistan, as thousands of others were wounded.
Tremors were felt in northern India including the capital New Delhi, causing thousands of people to evacuate homes and office buildings.
Many people throughout the quake hit region spent the night outdoors in near-freezing temperatures, reluctant to go back inside for fear of aftershocks.
Hundreds dead after massive earthquake hits South Asia
More than 330 reported dead in Afghanistan and Pakistan as powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks South Asia.
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A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck in northern Afghanistan and has been felt in a large area from northern India to Pakistan with scores of people killed across the region.
The US Geological Survey put the epicentre of Monday's quake near Jarm in Afghanistan's northeast, 250km from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213km.
The total death toll stood at 335 with at least 253 people killed in Pakistan and at least 82 more in Afghanistan, according to officialreports from the two countries.
Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, cut short his visit to the United Kingdom to fly home to deal with the emergency.
Hikmat Fasi, a resident of Parwan Province in northern Afghanistan, said the quake caused a lot of damage in the area.
"We are safe but I saw a lot of buildings collapse," Hikmat Fasi said. "It [earthquake] caused severe damage to our area. We are just praying."
According to the Inter-Service public relations office, all military hospitals and helicopters were put on standby and high alert.
Strong tremors were also felt in New Delhi and Islamabad, residents said, as authorities in India and Pakistan issued warnings for strong aftershocks.
Dozens dead in Pakistan
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said walls in the Pakistani capital swayed back and forth as people poured out of office buildings in a panic.
Shaukat Iqbal, a resident from Charsadda district in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said it felt as if the earthquake "kept getting worse with time".
"I could see homes, buildings shaking. We are terrified and I am unable to reach my family living in Malakand district. All phone lines are shut."
Waqas Habibi Rana, a resident from Lahore, said many people fled their homes and office buildings as the city was hit by the tremors.
"As soon as we felt the first tremor we stepped out of our home. It stopped for a few seconds, but started again," said Waqas.
"The third tremor was really severe. It was by far the worst earthquake I have ever experienced in Pakistan. Everyone was scared and praying. It has triggered landslide in Baltistan [a mountainous region in Pakistan situated in the Karakoram mountains just to the south of K2], Waqas added.
Al Jazeera's Nidhi Dutt, reporting from New Delhi, said many residents of the Indian capital had already moved back into their buildings.
"The city's metro system was still down as part of the security measures," Dutt reported.
The bulk of the casualties were reported from Pakistan, where 253 people were killed [Hazrat Ali Bacha/Reuters]
Rescue workers move a man, who was injured during an earthquake, at the Lady Reading hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan [Fayaz Aziz/Reuters]
Patients who were shifted outdoors at the government medical college hospital after a strong tremor was felt in Jammu, India [Channi Anand/The Associated Press]
Source: Al Jazeera And Agencies
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A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck in northern Afghanistan and has been felt in a large area from northern India to Pakistan with scores of people killed across the region.
The US Geological Survey put the epicentre of Monday's quake near Jarm in Afghanistan's northeast, 250km from the capital Kabul and at a depth of 213km.
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The total death toll stood at 335 with at least 253 people killed in Pakistan and at least 82 more in Afghanistan, according to officialreports from the two countries.
Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister of Pakistan, cut short his visit to the United Kingdom to fly home to deal with the emergency.
Hikmat Fasi, a resident of Parwan Province in northern Afghanistan, said the quake caused a lot of damage in the area.
"We are safe but I saw a lot of buildings collapse," Hikmat Fasi said. "It [earthquake] caused severe damage to our area. We are just praying."
According to the Inter-Service public relations office, all military hospitals and helicopters were put on standby and high alert.
Strong tremors were also felt in New Delhi and Islamabad, residents said, as authorities in India and Pakistan issued warnings for strong aftershocks.
Dozens dead in Pakistan
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said walls in the Pakistani capital swayed back and forth as people poured out of office buildings in a panic.
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Shaukat Iqbal, a resident from Charsadda district in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa said it felt as if the earthquake "kept getting worse with time".
"I could see homes, buildings shaking. We are terrified and I am unable to reach my family living in Malakand district. All phone lines are shut."
Waqas Habibi Rana, a resident from Lahore, said many people fled their homes and office buildings as the city was hit by the tremors.
"As soon as we felt the first tremor we stepped out of our home. It stopped for a few seconds, but started again," said Waqas.
"The third tremor was really severe. It was by far the worst earthquake I have ever experienced in Pakistan. Everyone was scared and praying. It has triggered landslide in Baltistan [a mountainous region in Pakistan situated in the Karakoram mountains just to the south of K2], Waqas added.
Al Jazeera's Nidhi Dutt, reporting from New Delhi, said many residents of the Indian capital had already moved back into their buildings.
"The city's metro system was still down as part of the security measures," Dutt reported.
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| Rescue workers move a man, who was injured during an earthquake, at the Lady Reading hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan [Fayaz Aziz/Reuters] |
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Source: Al Jazeera And Agencies
Families of South Asia quake victims bury their dead
Grief-stricken survivors in Pakistan and Afghanistan deal with aftershocks as they bid farewell to victims.
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![South Asia has a history of deadly earthquakes, especially in the mountainous areas [EPA]](http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/imagecache/mbdxxlarge/mritems/Images/2015/10/27/60315298d4c44217b74a692054bc946d_18.jpg "Families of South Asia quake victims bury their dead")
The afternoon before the earthquake struck in Pakistan, Afghanistan and parts of India, Lal Mohammed, a driver based in Islamabad drove back - along with his family - to his hometown in Bajaur Agency, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to attend his aunt's funeral.
Little did he know that a few hours later he had to attend the funeral of his three children.
At least 260 people were killed in Pakistan and 83 in Afghanistan when the powerful 7.5-magnitude quake struck Afghanistan and rocked neighbouring Pakistan, causing heavy damage to some of the world's poorest and conflict prone regions.
The quake was 213km deep and centred 254km northeast of Kabul, according to the US Geological survey.
Communication services were disrupted in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the quake, as phone lines were flooded by people trying to reach family members and loved-ones.
Lal Mohammed left behind his three children at home and headed with his wife to the funeral of his aunt a few blocks away. As he felt the tremors, he knew his children were unsafe.
"The earthquake was so strong that I could feel my body swinging," Mohammed said. "I ran back home as soon as the earthquake stopped. But I guess it was too late by then."
Mohammed's three children were killed when the celling of their mud-built house collapsed. The youngest one was only five years old.
"I just buried them a while ago. I could never imagine they would be taken away from me this way. My wife is in a state of shock and is not responding."
Dealing with loss
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| At least 130 were killed in Pakistan's northern valley of Swat and Malakand division of Khyber-Pakhtunkhway [Kamal Hyder/Al Jazeera] |
At least 130 of Pakistan's victims fell in the northern valley of Swat and Malakand division of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Over 800 homes were destroyed or damaged, according to authorities, who said the death toll was expected to rise.
Usman Khan from Malakand said he lost two cousins aged 16 and 17 in the quake, leaving behind a mourning mother.
"She was a single mother living with her two kids. Both the children died when the roof of their house collapsed on them," Usman told Al Jazeera. "My aunt lost her husband just a few months ago. And now she lost her kids too."
Usman closed down his shop for the day and decided to stay home.
Hospital officials said that because of lack of immediate medical assistance in the tribal areas, many of the injured were brought to the Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.
"Most of the patients we received required orthopedic and neurosurgery assistance. Most deaths are caused by head injuries," Dr. Wasiullah Khan told Al Jazeera.
"We are trying our best to accommodate as many patients as possible but looking at the number of people affected by the quake, we are requesting the authorities for more medical support.”
All private schools and colleges in Pakistan will remain closed on Tuesday to avoid risks of aftershocks.
Aftershocks
According to Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, spokesperson for the provincial governor in Nangarhar province in Afghanistan, said an emergency meeting was held to avoid damages from possible aftershocks.
"From my information, there is a slight chance of aftershocks, which may cause some damage too," said Abdulzai.
"We are working on providing rapid medical assistance and essential aid to people in advance."
Kunar province in the northeast of Afghanistan has the highest death toll compared to other areas in Afghanistan.
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Bilal Sarwary, a resident of Sawkay district in Kunar, tweeted that eight members of one family died in the earthquake.
"A rooftop collapsed on 18 members of the same family in the district of Sawkay, leaving eight dead and 10 others seriously injured," the tweet said.
As some areas are still undergoing military operations against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan, rescuers were battling to access affected areas under Taliban control .
However, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid told Al Jazeera that fighters were ordered to cooperate with aid organisations.
"The Islamic Emirate ordered all mujahideen in affected areas to cooperate with aid organisations in providing food and medical supplies to the victims of this earthquake,” Mujahid told Al Jazeera.
"The mujahideen will facilitate those giving charity to the needy."
As the earthquake took its toll, Google has launched its Person Finder service for the second time. The service was first created in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
Google said it was allowing users to feed information in Urdu, the official language in Pakistan while working on versions in Pashto and Dari for Afghan users.
Facebook has also launched a similar service called the Safety Check after the devastating quake in Nepal. The service allows friends on the social networking site to know if they are OK.
South Asia has a history of deadly earthquakes, especially in the mountainous areas.
In April, Nepal hit the worst earthquake in 80 years that killed 8,700. In October 2005, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit the northern areas of Pakistan resulted in more than 80,000 fatalities, 200,000 people injured and more than four million people left homeless.
Source: Al Jazeera
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