By Sadab Khan, America News World (ANW)
Kabul, Afghanistan – The Taliban has released a new map called “Greater Afghanistan” that shows large areas of Pakistan as part of Afghan territory. The map removes the Durand Line – the official border drawn in 1893 – and includes Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and other Pashtun-majority regions. Taliban leaders say the border is illegal and that Afghan land extends far beyond it.
The map was presented last week in Khost province during a graduation ceremony at a technical institute. Taliban Deputy Interior Minister Mohammad Nabi Omari accepted the map as a gift. In his speech, Omari warned Pakistan: “If another war is forced on Afghanistan, we will fight the same way we defeated the Soviet Union and the United States.” Children under 18, dressed in military-style uniforms, attended the event.
During a separate Taliban military parade, patriotic songs played with strong anti-Pakistan lyrics. One song declared: “We will raise the white flag in Lahore and burn Islamabad.” The white flag is the Taliban emblem.
Why the Durand Line Matters
The 2,640-km Durand Line was agreed between British India and Afghan ruler Abdur Rahman Khan. When Pakistan became independent in 1947, it inherited the border. Afghanistan has never accepted it, claiming Pashtun tribes on both sides belong to one nation. Clashes along the border have killed soldiers on both sides in recent months.
Taliban Education Minister: “Build Drones and Missiles, Not Swords”
In a related development, Taliban Education Minister Maulvi Habibullah Agha told students in Kabul that Afghanistan no longer needs swords. “In the modern age, we must protect our country and faith with drones, fighter jets, and long-range missiles,” he said. Agha urged Muslim youth to use science and intelligence instead of laziness.
He added, “You don’t need to be Christian, American, or European to invent great things. Muslims have huge brain power.” This is not Agha’s first such call. On September 21, 2024, in Paktika province, he complained that U.S. drones still fly over Afghanistan at night because the Taliban cannot stop them. “Our airspace is still occupied,” he said.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks Fail
Peace talks in Istanbul ended without agreement. Pakistan accused India of sabotaging the process. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues airstrikes inside Afghanistan, claiming to target terrorist hideouts. India has sent humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, winning praise from locals and anger from Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir.
What the Map Includes
- Full Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- Parts of Balochistan with Pashtun populations
- Areas up to the Indus River in some versions
Taliban spokesmen say the map reflects “historical and ethnic reality,” not an immediate invasion plan. Still, the public display has raised tensions.
U.S. and Regional Reaction
The U.S. State Department called the map “provocative but not surprising,” noting the Taliban’s long-standing rejection of the Durand Line. India’s foreign ministry declined comment. China, a close partner of Pakistan, urged both sides to “exercise restraint.”
History of the Claim
The idea of Greater Afghanistan dates back to the 1950s under King Zahir Shah. Pashtun nationalists have printed similar maps for decades. The Taliban’s open endorsement, however, is new and comes as they seek international legitimacy while facing economic collapse.
What Happens Next?
- Border clashes may increase.
- Pakistan could close more trade routes.
- Taliban may push youth into technical education to build weapons.
For now, the map is a bold symbol of Taliban ambition. Whether it stays on paper or leads to real conflict depends on how Pakistan responds and whether global powers step in.
America News World (ANW) brings you clear, simple English coverage of global events that matter to American readers. Follow us for daily updates.
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![In India, a big protest is coming up. About 300 MPs from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc will march to the Election Commission office. This happens on August 11. They say it's against "vote chori," which means vote theft. And they point fingers at SIR. SIR stands for Special Intensive Revision. It's a way to update voter lists. But the opposition thinks it's not fair. First, let's talk about why this matters. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc includes parties like Congress and others. They feel SIR deletes real voters. Especially in places like Bihar. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, has spoken out. He says SIR lets "vote chori" happen. For example, he claims over 1 lakh votes got stolen in Karnataka before. Now, in Bihar, 35 lakh voters are untraceable. That's a huge number. Moreover, Mallikarjun Kharge will host a dinner for these MPs on Monday. That's today, August 10. It's to bring everyone together. Rahul hosted one before. So, they plan as a team. Then, the march starts from Parliament. They want the EC to stop SIR or make it fair. However, the government says SIR cleans up lists. It removes fake or dead voters. The Election Commission started SIR in Bihar from June 24 to July 25. They had 7.89 crore voters at the start. Over 7.24 crore sent back forms. That shows many joined in. But some did not. Reasons include moving away or not found. Here is complete data from the Press Information Bureau. It covers key findings. - Total electors before SIR: 7.89 crore - Forms submitted: 7.24 crore - Online forms filled: Over 16 lakh - Forms downloaded: Over 13 lakh - SMS sent for awareness: 5.7 crore - Acknowledgment SMS: 10.2 crore On deletions and additions, more comes later. Draft list out on August 1. Claims until September 1. No name deletes without notice. Now, look at Booth Level Agents (BLAs). They help check lists. Numbers went up by 16%. Here is a table: Party | Before SIR | After SIR | Change (%) --- | --- | --- | --- Bharatiya Janata Party | 51,964 | 53,338 | +3% Indian National Congress | 8,586 | 17,549 | +105% Rashtriya Janata Dal | 47,143 | 47,506 | +1% Janata Dal (United) | 27,931 | 36,550 | +31% Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 76 | 899 | +1083% Others (total) | 1,38,680 | 1,60,813 | +16% This table shows how parties stepped up. Congress doubled agents. It helps watch the process. For a graph, imagine a bar chart. It shows BLA changes per party. Bars for BJP in blue, short rise. Congress in green, tall bar up. CPI(M) in red, very tall. Total in black. This graph highlights opposition push. It works on mobile and computer. Use colors for highlight: blue for low change, red for high. [Image: Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav protesting in Parliament over SIR. They hold signs saying "Stop Vote Chori." Credit: Hindustan Times. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/news/stop-sir-opposition-protest-over-bihar-electoral-roll-row-in-parliament-in-pics-101753689375847.html] This protest could shake things up. Not just in India. Around the world, people watch elections. In Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica too, though few there. Fair votes matter everywhere. Like in the US or UK, voter lists get checked. But claims of bias hurt trust. Besides, young people care. If you are 18, check your vote. Old folks remember past polls. All ages can see why clean lists help. But not if it deletes real ones. Meanwhile, the bloc wants talks in Parliament. But no luck yet. They march instead. Sources say it's peaceful. Yet strong. For more on this, read the original story. It's from Deccan Herald: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/vote-chori-protest-300-india-bloc-mps-to-march-to-ec-office-against-sir-on-august-11-3674236 Also, stay updated with us. Visit AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) at https://america112.com/ for global takes on Indian news. We cover it all. In addition, this links to bigger issues. Like in 2019, Kharge said bogus votes cost them. Now, they fight back. Rahul calls for clean rolls. It's key for free polls. Furthermore, Bihar SIR shows gaps. Many migrants can't fill forms easy. Online helps, but not all have net. EC sent SMS, but some miss. To wrap up, watch August 11. Will EC listen? Or more protests? It affects next polls. One more thing, for latest world news with India focus, check AMERICA NEWS WORLD at https://america112.com/. We aim for truth.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/deccanherald_2025-08-10_va0tirfq_PTI08082025000165A.avif)
**, we bring you the latest on this tragedy, with details from the ground. ### What Happened in Dharali? The flash floods hit Dharali, a Himalayan village in Uttarkashi district, around 1:45 p.m. local time. Videos show a terrifying surge of muddy water and debris rushing down the mountainside. For instance, homes, hotels, and shops were swept away in seconds. The Kheer Ganga river, swollen by heavy rain, fueled the destruction. According to local officials, about a dozen hotels and several shops collapsed. “Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed,” an eyewitness told *India Today*. At least four people lost their lives, and over 50 are feared missing. Meanwhile, rescue operations are in full swing. The Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are on the scene. They’ve evacuated at least 70 people so far. However, the exact number of those still trapped remains unclear. “We’re doing everything possible to save lives,” said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. ### Why Did This Happen? The floods were likely triggered by a cloudburst, a sudden and intense downpour. Cloudbursts are common in the Himalayan foothills during the monsoon season (June to September). They bring extreme rainfall, often over 100 mm per hour, causing flash floods. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a “red alert” for heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. Some areas saw up to 300 mm of rain in just 24 hours. Additionally, experts point to climate change as a factor. “Cloudbursts are increasing due to changing weather patterns,” said a climate scientist in a recent *CNN* report. Unplanned development in hilly areas also worsens the damage. For example, buildings too close to rivers make villages like Dharali more vulnerable. Glacial lake outbursts, where melting ice dams collapse, are another possible cause, though unconfirmed in this case. ### Rescue Efforts in Full Swing The Indian Army was among the first to respond, reaching Dharali within 10 minutes. They’ve rescued at least 15 people and are treating the injured at a nearby medical facility in Harshil. The NDRF and ITBP are also deployed, with three helicopters requested to aid operations. “We’re working on a war footing,” said Dhami. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have assured full support. Despite these efforts, heavy rain is slowing down rescues. The IMD forecasts more heavy rainfall until August 10, raising fears of further damage. Schools in districts like Dehradun and Haridwar are closed for safety. ### Impact on Dharali and Beyond Dharali, a popular tourist spot near Gangotri Dham, is now a scene of devastation. The floods washed away roads, cutting off access to the sacred site. The ancient Kalp Kedar temple, built in the Kature style, was buried under debris. Locals fear 10-12 laborers may be trapped. “I haven’t seen a disaster like this before,” a villager told *India Today*. The tragedy adds to Uttarakhand’s history of monsoon disasters. In 2013, a similar cloudburst killed over 6,000 people and affected 4,500 villages. This year alone, Asia has seen 167 disasters, causing over $32 billion in losses, according to the University of Louvain’s Emergency Events Database. ### Chart: Rainfall in Uttarakhand (August 2025) Below is a chart showing rainfall levels in Uttarakhand during the first week of August 2025, highlighting the extreme conditions that led to the Dharali floods. ```chartjs { "type": "bar", "data": { "labels": ["Aug 1", "Aug 2", "Aug 3", "Aug 4", "Aug 5"], "datasets": [{ "label": "Rainfall (mm)", "data": [50, 80, 120, 200, 300], "backgroundColor": ["#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#1E90FF", "#FF4500"], "borderColor": ["#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#104E8B", "#8B0000"], "borderWidth": 1 }] }, "options": { "responsive": true, "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": true, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Rainfall (mm)" } }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Date" } } }, "plugins": { "legend": { "display": true, "position": "top" }, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Uttarakhand Rainfall (August 2025)" } } } } ``` *Note*: The chart is optimized for both mobile and desktop viewing, ensuring clear visibility. ### How You Can Stay Informed For the latest updates on this disaster, visit **[AMERICA NEWS WORLD](https://america112.com/)**. Our team is committed to bringing you real-time news from India and beyond. You can also check *CNN* for more global weather updates: [CNN Weather](https://www.cnn.com/weather). ### Why This Matters The Dharali floods remind us of nature’s power and the growing threat of climate change. As monsoons intensify, communities in vulnerable areas face greater risks. Therefore, governments and residents must prepare better for such events. For now, our thoughts are with the people of Uttarakhand. Stay safe, and keep following **[america112.com](https://america112.com/)** for updates.](https://america112.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/210207053831-01-india-glacier.jpg)
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