Key politicians with background of anti-Taliban or anti-Soviet resistance are converging in their areas of influence to mobilise forces for a likely face-off with the marching Taliban. But rights groups fear such militias could become abusive force.
The apparent insider attack, which took place in Nangarhar province, occurred after a combined US and Afghan force was returning from a "key-leader engagement," Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement.
In 2017, Islamabad constructed a fence along its more-than 2,600-kilometre border with Afghanistan in a bid to quell terrorism, leading to soaring school dropout rates in the area. Still, some continue to fight for their education.