Battle for Panjshir
Heavy clashes are raging in Afghanistan’s Panjshir province where the Taliban seek to take out the last pockets of resistance against their takeover of the country last month. The Taliban say they have advanced deep into the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul. A spokesman says the advancing forces have captured four of the province's seven districts and are inching closer to its center. But opposition forces reject the claim saying they have confronted the Taliban. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, led by local leader Ahmad Massoud, says it has surrounded thousands of Taliban forces. In a Facebook post, Massoud has insisted that Panjshir will continue to stand strongly.
Lebanon cleric passing
Head of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shia Council Sheikh Abdul Amir Qablan has passed away. He was a prominent Lebanese cleric who was also instrumental in the political arena.
Kashmir tensions
Police in Indian-controlled Kashmir have charged the family of late pro-independence leader Syed Ali Geelani for chanting anti-New Delhi slogans. The family is also charged for wrapping their father’s body with Pakistan’s flag. Police have accused them of raising anti-national slogans and resorting to other anti-national activities. Geelani’s family has not been detained. They have not denied the accusations. But, they say police took away Geelani’s body after he died on Wednesday, preventing them from performing last rites. That raised tensions in Indian-controlled Kashmir and prompted a lockdown which was eased on Sunday. People there want independence from India or its merger with Pakistan that holds the other side of Kashmir.