President Ashraf Ghani, VP leave Afghanistan as Taliban take over

The Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Sunday (August 15) and are on their way to take control of the government. President Ashraf Ghani left the country for Tajikistan.

By Zee Media Bureau | Last Updated: Sunday, August 15, 2021 - 23:22

Kabul: The Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Sunday (August 15) and are on their way to take control of the government. President Ashraf Ghani left the country for Tajikistan.

After wresting power from Afghanistan, a Taliban official said that the group will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul.

Ali Ahmad Jalali will serve as the head of the new interim government, media reports claimed even as negotiations are going on in the Afghan Presidential Palace to transfer power to the Taliban.

American diplomats were evacuated from their embassy by helicopter to the airport.

Read more about Taliban here: Taliban's History

Here are the latest updates on Afghanistan crisis:

15 August 2021, 22:38 PM

British Airways has ordered pilots to avoid Afghan airspace because of deteriorating security there: British Airways spokesperson (ANI)

15 August 2021, 22:38 PM

A Taliban official says the group will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in the capital, Kabul. That was the name of the country under the Taliban government ousted by US-led forces after the September 11, 2001, attacks. (ANI)

15 August 2021, 22:28 PM

Sources have told Zee Media that Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh has also left the country.

15 August 2021, 22:08 PM

Anti-Pakistan protests across the globe were organised and the demonstrators raised their voices against Islamabad`s role in the Afghanistan debacle and blamed the country for helping the Taliban.

15 August 2021, 22:07 PM

There was a peace agreement between Afgan govt and the Taliban. It was just a handover process. Now the situation is calm in Kabul. Pakistan is one of the close supporters of Taliban. My family is still in Kabul: Afghan MP Abdul Qadir Zazai on his arrival in Delhi (ANI)

15 August 2021, 21:58 PM

The U.S. Embassy said Kabul's airport, where diplomats, officials and other Afghans had fled, has come under fire.

15 August 2021, 21:58 PM

“Reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for a peaceful settlement and need for international community’s consistent engagement with Afghanistan,” said Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan.

 

15 August 2021, 21:53 PM

Afghan leaders have created a coordination council to meet with the Taliban and manage the transfer of power. In a statement posted on social media by former president Hamid Karzai, he said the body will be lead by the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah, as well as the leader of Hizb-e-Islami, Gulbudin Hekmatyar, and himself.

15 August 2021, 20:53 PM

Amid ongoing negotiations between the Afghan Government and the Taliban, First Vice President Amrullah Saleh vowed to never, ever and under no circumstances will he bow down to the Taliban.

 

15 August 2021, 20:08 PM

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in order to prevent looting and chaos their forces will enter some parts of Kabul and occupy outposts that have been evacuated by security forces. He asked the people to not panic about their entry into the city.

15 August 2021, 20:07 PM

Air India flight AI244 carrying 129 passengers from Kabul, Afghanistan landed in Delhi.

15 August 2021, 19:29 PM

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has left the country for Tajikistan, according to a senior interior ministry official. (Reuters)

15 August 2021, 19:11 PM

President Ashraf Ghani left Afghanistan, according to media reports.

15 August 2021, 18:29 PM

Germany`s army is sending A400M transport aircraft to Kabul with 30 paratroopers each on board to evacuate embassy staff and their Afghan helpers as Taliban fighters surround the Afghan capital: Report

15 August 2021, 18:27 PM

Afghanistan students studying at JNU, New Delhi, fearing going back, have sought visa extension.

15 August 2021, 18:27 PM

Delhi-bound Air India flight takes off from Kabul with 129 passengers on board.

15 August 2021, 18:05 PM

Afghan nationals living in Delhi are worried about their families, friends as Taliban enter Kabul. "The situation is getting worse day by day. We're worried about our families who're staying in Afghanistan. May Allah keep us safe," said Ahmed, a shop owner in Lajpat Nagar. (ANI)

15 August 2021, 18:04 PM

The Taliban want peaceful transfer of power in Afghanistan in 'next few days', its spokesperson said. (AFP)

15 August 2021, 18:03 PM

UAE's flydubai will suspend Kabul flights from Monday, its spokesperson said.

15 August 2021, 18:02 PM

The United States evacuated diplomats from its Kabul embassy by helicopter.

15 August 2021, 17:59 PM

As the Taliban looks set to assume power in Afghanistan as it captures the capital city of Kabul after seizing power in almost the entire nation with its stunning advances, Donald Trump has hit out at US President Joe Biden blaimg him for the 'mess'.

 

15 August 2021, 17:58 PM

India has put in place contingency plans to evacuate hundreds of its officials and citizens from Kabul that has been gripped by fear and panic following reports of Taliban fighters entering the outskirts of the Afghan capital city, government sources said.

15 August 2021, 17:58 PM

Acting Ministers of Interior and Foreign Affairs Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal in separate video clips assured the people of Kabul will be secured as they are protecting the city along with international allies.

15 August 2021, 17:58 PM

Ali Ahmad Jalali will serve as the head of the new interim government, media reports claimed even as negotiations are going on in the Afghan Presidential Palace to transfer power to the Taliban.

15 August 2021, 17:56 PM

The Taliban took control of Kabul on Sunday (August 15). They entered the city from all sides, as per Afghan official.