Taliban warns of consequences on US pullout extension

Kabul : The Taliban has issued a warning that there will be "consequences" if the United States and its allies extend their presence in Afghanistan beyond August 31, as Kabul airport continues to remain in chaos amid evacuation drive and tens of thousands of people desperately trying to flee the nation.

The pressure is mounting on Washington to extend the deadline from August 31 as foreign nationals and Afghans remain in thousands who want to get airlifted as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Taliban cleared its intentions and showed no willingness to compromise, with spokesman Suhail Shaheen telling Sky News that staying beyond the agreed deadline would be "extending occupation".

"If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations -- the answer is no... there would be consequences," he said.

According to a news report by AFP, two of the Taliban sources have said that they will not announce the formation of new government until the last US soldier is removed from the land.

The rush to leave Kabul has sparked harrowing scenes and killed at least eight people, some crushed to death and at least one person after falling off a plane.