The Taliban's two-month programme aims to distribute more than 60,000 tons of wheat across Afghanistan in exchange for jobs as the country gears up to face a harsh winter.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack which killed at least five civilians in the Afghan capital, but suspicion fell on Daesh terrorists who have stepped up attacks on the Taliban in recent weeks.
The first appointments to the Taliban interim government were announced earlier this month – drawn exclusively from loyalist ranks, with established hardliners in all key posts, despite previous promises of an inclusive administration.
"Final decisions have been taken and we are now working on the technical issues," says Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid after announcing victory in northern Panjshir Valley fighting.
Districts of Khinj and Unabah have been taken from so-called National Resistance Front, a Taliban spokesperson says, giving Afghanistan's new rulers control of four of province's seven districts.
A Taliban spokesman confirmed the incident, saying a car bomb destined for the airport had been destroyed – and that a possible second strike had hit a nearby house.
Taliban's main spokesman denounced an overnight US drone strike against Daesh-K militants following Thursday's suicide attack near the airport as a "clear attack on Afghan territory".
The US president said that some soldiers could remain past the August 31 deadline to ensure all Americans get out.
The Taliban is reported to have flown their flag on the Spin Boldak-Chaman border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, reportedly sealed by Pakistani authorities in view of the developments taking place on the Afghan side of the Durand Line.
"Although we (Taliban) have the upper hand on the battlefield, we are very serious about talks and dialogue," a spokesperson of the Afghan insurgent group tells Reuters.
Eyewitnesses said all but seven or eight of the victims were schoolgirls going home after finishing studies.
No one claimed responsibility for the bombing but President Ashraf Ghani blamed Taliban insurgents despite the spokesperson for the militant group denying links to the attack.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for all latest in-depth, on the ground reporting from around the world.
Copyright © 2021 TRT World.
Like
Follow