[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATION IN MAZAR-I-SHARIF TARGETS ISIS-K SAFEHOUSES – The Taliban claim to have targeted three ISIS-K hideouts in the recent security operations that rocked the capital of Balkh Province on Friday and early Saturday. Unconfirmed reports say that 5 ISIS-K fighters (in total) were killed and that Ustad Qais, a reputed senior commander of the terror group, was among the dead. The operations focused on houses in Police Districts 5, 6, and 8. 1 Taliban was reportedly wounded in the operations. Sources say that some of the ISIS-K members killed were Tajikistan and Uzbekistan nationals. Ammunition, weapons, and bomb-making materials were seized as well as several communication devices that were reportedly intact and contained information about the ISIS-K network in Afghanistan and also in Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. There are also unconfirmed reports of multiple non-combatant casualties that resulted from the six-hour melee. No further information was available.
- PAKISTAN DRAMA – Former PM Imran Khan traveled to Islamabad to appear before a court in the Judicial Complex on Saturday. Before he arrived, Police and the former PM’s supporters had already clashed and tear gas was used by both sides in the streets surrounding the Judicial Complex. A judge allowed the former PM to sign an appearance form from his vehicle over fears that violence could escalate was he to enter the court physically. In Lahore, Police arrested over 60 PTI supporters and recovered several weapons when they entered the grounds of the former PM’s home. Police say they did not enter his residence at any time but Khan has disputed this account on Twitter. Those arrested stand accused of participating in the violence that took place on 15 March when Police attempted to serve the former PM with an arrest warrant. There have been some injuries reported from both the scuffle in Lahore and Islamabad but an accurate account was unavailable. The former PM returned to Lahore and is said to be preparing for a possible PTI gathering today.
- MILD EARTHQUAKES REPORTED IN TAKHAR AND BADAKHSHAN – A 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook homes in Taloqan but no damage or casualties were reported. Shortly afterward, a 4.3 magnitude earthquake rattled windows in Fayzabad and no damage was reported from the subsequent quake.
- TALIBAN BANS HEMP CULTIVATION – A nationwide ban on the growing of hemp was announced on Saturday. It is believed the ban will negatively impact nearly 100,000 people who rely on the crop for subsistence. Although an alternative crop was mentioned, the Taliban’s spokesman for the Ministry of Agriculture did not give details.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Panjshir: A yet unidentified group has reportedly attacked a Taliban security patrol in the Hesa-Awal district. The ambush was conducted during the day, and local eyewitnesses claim it was likely an NRF operation. While casualties were mentioned, there has not been an accurate report of how many may have resulted from the attack.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- ADDITIONAL COUNTER-ISIS-K OPERATIONS COULD TAKE PLACE – As witnessed in earlier successful counter-ISIS-K, Taliban security forces often launch follow-up operations based on intelligence gleaned from a successful operation. On several occasions, the subsequent operations occurred in distant Provinces. At-risk Afghans in Balkh and elsewhere should anticipate potential violent raids of suspected ISIS-K strongholds over the coming days.
- LAHORE PTI RALLY COULD GO AHEAD, VIOLENCE POSSIBLE – While the Lahore High Court banned PTI from holding their rally today at Minar-e-Pakistan, the recent events surrounding former PM Khan could cause the leadership of the party to ignore the ban and the rally may go ahead as scheduled. Local eyewitnesses in Lahore say the city is in a ‘foul’ mood and that several PTI supporters continue to camp out around the city in anticipation of the event. Police have recalled many officers who were on leave and supporting units may have arrived from Islamabad overnight. Should the rally take place, a clash between police and PTI supporters is probable. At-risk Afghans in Lahore are advised to avoid the Minar-e-Pakistan area and to maintain distance from both groups of police and/or PTI supporters today.
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