Taliban escalates mind games as city- after– city falls in Afghanistan

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Pakistan backed Taliban has stepped up its mind games since Friday seeking capitulation of the Afghan military and support from the foreign countries amid its rapid countrywide military advance.</p>
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The first target of the  propaganda offensive of the Taliban, which wants residual resistance to collapse, without firing a shot,  was the  Afghan military.</p>
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"The rapid progress of Taliban units is a sign of the movement’s popularity," the Iran Student News Agency (ISNA) said, quoting a Taliban statement. "Those who fought against the Taliban have nothing to be afraid of. We all can live in peace. We are your brothers. If anyone attacks you on behalf of the Taliban, immediately report to our headquarters, and we will deal with them," the statement added.</p>
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The group vowed amnesty to pro-government army servicemen and declared inviolability of private and state property.</p>
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Simultaneously the mind games targeted foreign governments, including India, which has solidly supported the Afghan government led by President Ashraf Ghani.</p>
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In an interview with <em>ANI</em>, Taliban warned that India should not militarily intervene in Afghanistan. In return, India was welcome to carry on with its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. </p>
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Speaking to the news agency, the Qatar-based spokesperson of Taliban Suhail Shaheen said: "What do you mean by military role? If they come to Afghanistan militarily and have their presence. I think that will not be good for them, they have seen the fate of military presence in Afghanistan of other countries. So, it is an open book for them. And about their help to the Afghan people or national projects, I think that is something which is appreciated."</p>
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He added: "We appreciate everything that has been done for the people of Afghanistan like dams, national projects, infrastructure and anything that is for the development of Afghanistan, for its reconstruction, for economic prosperity and for the people of Afghanistan".</p>
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Shaeen pointed out that Indian diplomatic community should not fear the comeback of the Taliban, as it will not be harmed.</p>
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"About assurance to diplomats and embassies, there is no danger from our side to them. We will not target any embassy, any diplomat that we have said in our statements, not once but many times. So, it is our commitment that is being published is in media. On India’s concerns, I think it is up to them.</p>
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The Taliban spokesman further added that the Sikh community in Afghanistan would be allowed to practice their rituals under Taliban rule.</p>
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"We would like to once again reassure our neighbours that we, on our part, will not create any problems for them. Apart from that, we would like to assure everyone that we pose no threat to diplomats and staffers of embassies, consulates and international organizations," reads a statement, posted on Twitter by Mohammad Naeem, the official spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar.</p>
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The statement says that Taliban would do its best to create "an atmosphere of security and trust" in the country.</p>