BREAKING | Amid crisis in Afghanistan, Centre introduces category of electronic visa to fast-track applications for entry into India.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday, 17 August, introduced a new category of electronic visa, called "e-Emergency X-Misc Visa," to speed up the applications requesting entry into India from Afghanistan.

"MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India," the spokesperson for the MHA said in a tweet.

The announcement comes two days after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan after President Ghani fled the presidential palace, pushing the country into deep humanitarian crisis.

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Breaking| Atleast 5 Dead at Kabul Airport as People Try to Flee Afghanistan: Report

At least five people have been killed in Kabul airport as hundreds of people tried to forcibly enter planes leaving Kabul, Reuters reported on Monday, 16 August, quoting witnesses.

Meanwhile, all commercial flights have been suspended at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, TOLO News reported on Monday, quoting a statement, after the closure of Afghan airspace. Earlier, US troops fired shots in the air at Kabul's airport as crowds mobbed the tarmac, news agency AFP reported, quoting a witness.

The Taliban is in control of Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.

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Taliban 'Take Control' of Afghan Presidential Palace: Report

Taliban commanders said on Sunday, 15 August, that they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported, hours after Taliban fighters entered Kabul.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has left the country for Tajikistan, reports said.

Earlier in the day, negotiations had begun with the Afghanistan government for an 'unconditional surrender' and a 'peaceful transfer of power'. Reports had indicated that the resignation of President Ghani was imminent, and an interim administration might take over.

Kabul was the only major Afghan city under the control of the country's central government, as more and more cities fell to the Taliban in the last few days in its unprecedented advance.Snapshot

The Taliban had earlier said in a statement that they had no plans to take the Afghan capital “by force”

Later in the day, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that in order to prevent looting and chaos, their forces will enter some parts of Kabul

Following the withdrawal of majority of US troops on 1 May, Taliban has advanced rapidly in the country, capturing cities after cities

After the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, the Taliban controlled all major Afghan cities, except Kabul

9:36 PM , 15 AUG

Taliban 'Take Control' of Afghan Presidential Palace: Report

Taliban commanders said they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported.

8:16 PM , 15 AUG

Taliban Will Enter Some Parts of Kabul to Prevent Chaos: Spokesperson

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that in order to prevent looting and chaos, their forces will enter some parts of Kabul and occupy outposts that have been evacuated by security forces, as he asked people to not panic from their entrance, TOLONews reported.

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