[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- RAID ON ISIS-K FACILITY IN POLICE DISTRICT 8 – Taliban security forces launched a raid on a reputed ISIS-K safehouse at approximately 1600hrs local yesterday. Gunfire and explosions were heard in the city and the fighting lasted approximately 3 hours. Taliban officials claimed to have killed 6-7 male ISIS-K terrorists and arrested 2-4 female ISIS-K members. In a separate operation, Taliban officials claim to have arrested 2 additional ISIS-K members in Nimroz Province.
- IDENTITY OF KIDNAPPERS KILLED IN PLOT TO RANSOM BUSINESSMAN QUESTIONED – As previously reported, the identity cards found on the four men who attempted to kidnap a Kabul businessman indicated they were Taliban security personnel. One is reputed to have been the brother of a District Governor in Kabul. At least two of the dead kidnappers worked for the Ministry of the Interior. The Ministry is claiming to have launched an investigation. A source in the Police said the Interior Ministry rebuked those who had allowed the photos of the dead kidnapper’s ID cards to be released. The source believed nothing would come of any investigation and claimed these incidents happen quite frequently.
No, Reeeeally? Just like Mexican Police/Federales
- US DISCUSSING CONSEQUENCES FOR TALIBAN WITH ALLIES – The US Government announced that it was in consultations with several international allies about what actions will be taken against the Taliban regime over the restrictions placed on women. While the US had initially condemned the Taliban’s decisions and made strong statements about eventual consequences, nothing had been publicly announced. It seems that Washington is now going to act and has the difficult job of striking a balance between punitive measures and the ability to continue humanitarian aid.
- JOURNALIST RELEASED FROM DETENTION – Faizullah Faizbakhsh, a freelance journalist who had been imprisoned with an American journalist for filming the site of the US drone strike that killed the Al-Qaeda leader was released yesterday. One of the conditions of his release was a signed statement pledging loyalty to the Taliban regime.
- TALIBAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TELLS FAMILIES OF AFGHANS DETAINED IN KARACHI NOT TO PAY FOR THEIR RELEASE – The Taliban MFA released a statement on Tuesday that warns family and friends of those currently being detained in Pakistan’s Sindh Province not to pay any fees for their release. The statement said any costs associated with their detention would be mitigated by the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kabul: Taliban security forces raided a home in the 8th police district where suspected ISIS-K terrorists were hiding out, 6-7 ISIS-K terrorists were killed and another 4 were captured.
Khost: An unconfirmed report stated that drones targeted an unidentified military center in the province during the night, causing several casualties. While the source for the information claimed the drones were operated by the ALM, we have had no reports of any Resistance group owning/operating weaponized drones since the Taliban took power, If the attack occurred at all, it seems more likely the drones belonged to Pakistan.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL CLEARING OPERATIONS AFTER ISIS-K FIGHT – In previous instances where an ISIS-K facility was raided, intelligence collected from the site initiated raids on other ISIS-K locations. In at least three of these instances, the subsequent action took place within 48 hours of the raid. At-risk Afghans should be cautious of large concentrations of security forces and pay particular attention to security vehicles staging in convoys along roads. These are typically indicators that an action is in the works. |