[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- DEATH TOLL FROM FREEZING COLD AT 70, MAY BE HIGHER – Based on figures reported from about half of the Provinces, the official death toll stood at 70 yesterday evening. Privately, aid agencies are saying actual figures likely run into the hundreds. Bodies of several children, presumed to have been living on the streets of several of Afghanistan’s cities, were photographed and shared on social media. Adding to the misery, more deaths appear to have occurred from monoxide poisoning as people sought to stay warm inside buildings with improper ventilation. Tens of thousands of heads of livestock are thought to have perished as a cold front not seen for over fifty years has descended on the country. Aid agencies are attempting to ameliorate the situation but face issues with staffing, funding, and supplies after many halted operations due to recent discriminatory gender bans.
- I-10 SUICIDE BOMBER REPUTEDLY TRAINED IN AFGHANISTAN – The Islamabad suicide bomber who killed 2 Pakistanis and injured several others on 23 December 2022 is said to have received his training while in Afghanistan 2022. Sources close to the investigation say the 22-year-old resident of Khyber District had gone to an undisclosed location in Afghanistan in mid-2022 to receive training. He returned in late 2022 and stayed in Parachinar and Hangu before journeying to the capital to launch his attack. Another source said that the man had been educated at a seminary in Pakistan and was not previously known to counter-terror agents.
- HOUSES SEARCHED IN KABUL – Several reports of targeted house searches were received over the previous twenty-four hours. The majority of the searches occurred in Police District 6. The District was home to many former military and government employees of the former regime lived.
- 7 HELD IN MURDER OF FEMALE MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR AGENT – A female Ministry employee was murdered on 1 December 2022 in Police District 7. Yesterday, authorities arrested 7 suspects involved in the case. At least some of the suspects are thought to be relatives of the victim and all have reportedly made confessions to their involvement in the crime. Initial reports at the time suggested the killing had been carried out by ISIS-K or Resistance troops but those reports appear to have been speculation. The reason for the killing has not yet been released.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kandahar: An AFF strike team carried out an assassination of 3 Talib personnel in the Chowke Mada neighbourhood of Kandahar City Wednesday night. An IED was used to target a vehicle carrying the men. One of those killed in the attack is thought to be Mawlawi Talha, a senior commander.
NEXT 24 HOURS
IRAN PLANS TO DEPORT BETWEEN 3,000-4,000 AFGHANS IN A SINGLE DAY – Local sources in Farah, Herat, and Nimruz Provinces say that Iranian authorities plan to deport the Afghans in a one-day operation across the Taybad, Mahirud, and Milak border crossings. Iranian residents who reside near the crossings have complained about the erection of several camps as the Afghans attempt to deal with the bitter cold. Additional border security forces are said to have arrived to assist with the deportations. Local sources say the communities on the Afghan side are not prepared to receive the deportees and are concerned that some could die without shelter.
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