Afghanistan celebrates independence day | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Afghanistan celebrates independence day

None | ByAssociated Press, Kabul
Aug 21, 2006 12:13 PM IST

The day marks Afghanistan's liberation from Britain in 1919, following the third Anglo-Afghan war.

Afghanistan celebrated its independence from British rule with a fireworks display that pleased the old but scared some children in the war-battered country.

HT Image
HT Image

Planned festivities on Saturday included sports, entertainment and a parade by US and NATO-trained Afghan forces amid the worst surge in violence since a US-led invasion ousted the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001 for hosting Osama bin Laden.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The bloodshed has hit especially hard in the country's south, where an insurgency claims daily casualties and threatens efforts to normalize the war-shattered country.

Celebrations began with fireworks that lit up the sky Friday night. President Hamid Karzai was to lead festivities on Saturday. The holiday marks Afghanistan's liberation from Britain in 1919, following the third Anglo-Afghan war.

Repeated wars and conflicts have devastated the nation of 25 million people in the last three decades, with scars still visible on buildings, and large swaths of minefields in the country.

About 20,000 NATO-led troops, some of them British, are in the country, along with 22,000 US forces.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On