Kabul Residents Report Hearing Jets and Explosions

KABUL (Afghan Verified) -- Residents in Kabul reported hearing jets overhead and heavy explosions in the capital on Monday evening.

At least five residents told Afghanistan International they heard the sounds, including two explosions and an airplane in the city's 5th district. One citizen said Kabul shook, attributing the blasts to new Pakistani attacks. The Taliban administration has not commented, and Islamabad has provided no information on any targets.

Pakistan has rejected mediation offers from China and other countries to ease tensions, insisting on strong guarantees to prevent attacks by militants it says are sheltered in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, a two-day meeting of Taliban political and military opponents began Monday at the European Parliament, the first official interaction there on the Afghan crisis.

Fawzia Koofi accused the Taliban of turning Afghanistan into a center for extremist groups, despite Doha commitments. She said the group has created 'gender apartheid' through suppressive policies eliminating women from public life and waging war on women and dissenters. Koofi warned that Afghanistan has become unsafe for its citizens and an unreliable partner globally. She urged prioritizing women's rights in diplomatic talks, supporting Afghan dialogue, and advancing cases at the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court for recognition of 'gender apartheid.'

Zalmay Neshatt said the Afghan democratic opposition has the capacity to restore human rights and democracy. He warned that Taliban rule threatens Europe's security through migration, extremism and regional tensions, calling for urgent international attention.