[AfghanDigeet] LAST 24 HOURS
- PAKISTANI POLICE SEARCH HOSTELS IN ISLAMABAD – Several reports came in from the Afghan refugee community about searches that were taking place in East Islamabad. Several hostels commonly frequented by Afghans living in Pakistan received visits from Pakistani police officers. The officers arrived at night and would ask the desk clerks how many Afghans were staying in the hostels and if they had checked their visas when they registered to stay. The officers did not make any arrests but said they would return in 24 hours to question some of the guests. It is not clear if these operations are related to TTP threats but at-risk Afghans should take care to keep their documents with them. If an at-risk Afghan has an expired visa, they should be ready to produce the electronic copy of their extension application or the stamped paper slip provided by SHARP for their UNHCR interviews.
- MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISIS-K SECURITY OPERATION IN KABUL – Several sources within the Taliban say the operation was carried out to disrupt an ISIS-K cell that had targeted one (or several) foreign diplomatic embassies in Kabul. Among some of the evidence collected after the clash was a document, with Russian writing on it, and a pencil sketch of a doorway. The sources said the doorway did not match any portal known at the Russian embassy. It was not clear if the operation was successful in neutralizing the team that may have been targeting a diplomatic facility as they did not find evidence of the large ammonium-nitrate bomb that has long been rumored to have been prepared to destroy an embassy. The sources confirmed that GDI agents and police continued looking for a second ISIS-K cell and disputed an earlier Taliban announcement that the threat had been dealt with.
- SHIITE SHRINE CLOSED IN KABUL – The famous Shia shrine, Ziyarat Sakhi, has been closed down due to “sacrilege” and “immoral acts”. Employees of the popular pilgrimage site said the Taliban told them that polytheistic acts that included “kissing science” had been reported and the site would be closed until further notice.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kunar: A TTP commander (Shamsher Mohammad) was reputedly targeted by an IED un the Sarkani district. 6 people were killed in the blast, including a child. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
NEXT 24 HOURS
US-PAKISTAN SECURITY COOPERATION MEETING IN PAKISTAN TO START – A high-ranking US delegation will meet with Pakistani officials to discuss mutual cooperation and other agenda items. The bilateral talks will also discuss Taliban-administered Afghanistan. While the locations of the talks have been kept secret it is possible that TTP or other terror networks could attempt to target meetings. It is even more likely that one of the terror groups will try to stage an attack to illustrate their resolve to the US delegation while it is in town. At risk-Afghans in Islamabad are advised to avoid government convoys and concentrations of police/military personnel as these may be likely targets. |