[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT YET TO DECIDE ON HOSTING AFGHAN REFUGEES – Previously, a spokesman for the government in Manilla said that a decision to accept a US request to host as many as 50,000 Afghan refugees would be made by 17 July. The government announced it was still weighing the request and would not hold itself to any self-imposed deadline. Several in the Philippine government have questioned the validity of the US request and have stated concerns that some of the people it is being asked to host may not have been former US government employees. It is not clear if the program will proceed but there are rumors that some work was being done at a former US Air Base as well as rumors that additional US State Department personnel were either scheduled to arrive in the country or, were already present. There are also rumors that a massive financial incentive package is being discussed and some say the delay in the decision process is due to haggling over how much the US will pay for the cooperation.
- PAKISTAN USING SOFTWARE AT HOTELS TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTED CRIMINALS – Hotel Eye, a software program that is activated when a guest checks into a hotel will instantaneously notify law enforcement of people who may be wanted for crimes. The system is linked to three federal databases (NADRA, PSRMS, and CRO) and is mandatory in some cities. The system uploads the Computerised National Identity Cards of guests (or passports) and cross-references the information with federal agencies. Prior to the adoption of Hotel Eye, the police would receive a list of guests on a weekly basis which hindered the timely apprehension of suspects. To date, the system has been responsible for the arrests of over 93 wanted criminals. Currently, the system is used in over 600 hotels across the country. It is not clear if the software is/can be used to track Afghan nationals. Since the system is tied to the NADRA database, we assume it is possible but have not yet had a report where it was used to arrest/detain an Afghan refugee.
- GERMAN CITIZEN FROM AFGHANISTAN ARRESTED IN HAMBURG TRAIN STATION AFTER WEAPONS FOUND IN LUGGAGE – German police arrested a German citizen from Afghanistan after a routine check of his luggage showed he had several weapons packed in his bag. Among the weapons discovered were large machetes, knives, a hand axe, and a retractable baton. Authorities say the man was known to security officials and has been considered an Islamist threat. The man, who is twenty years old, is currently being held by authorities and a subsequent search of his home turned up several hard drives and USB sticks that were being reviewed.
- ‘LORD MILES’ UPDATE LANDS ON TWITTER – Someone claiming to be a friend of the British man who uses the name ‘Lord Miles’ and makes trips to dangerous locations put out a Twitter update claiming that the (reputedly) detained man has now spent four months in Taliban custody and is being treated well, has several servants, lots of movies on his laptop, and goes on picnics with the Taliban Government. The message contained a photo of the man with several Taliban security personnel giving a thumbs-up gesture. The post ends by saying the man ‘still loves Afghanistan’.
My favourite Lord Miles is still Miles Vorkosigan.
- HASIBA NOURI, AFGHAN SINGER WHO WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN KILLED, APPEARS ON TWITTER – The artist posted a video on Twitter telling her fans that she was very much alive and the earlier reports about her death were incorrect. She attributed a picture that reportedly launched many of the rumors about her death was actually taken after an accident.
- TALIBAN REQUESTS SHIITES OBSERVE MUHARRAM IN SELECT LOCATIONS – The Taliban have asked Shiite leaders to adhere to observing Muharram in a limited number of spaces. The Taliban leadership foresees potential security implications that could come from ISIS-K terror cells. While the Taliban didn’t specifically name ISIS-K as a threat, the message appears to be understood by the Shia community.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Laghman: The National Battle Front group claimed to have assassinated the son of the Alishang district’s intelligence chief in the province.
Jawzjan: Eyewitnesses reported that the house of the former provincial governor had been surrounded by GDI agents. It is not clear what prompted the security activity and no follow-up reporting has arrived.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- TALIBAN MAY TARGET PANJSHIRIS IN KABUL – A letter that is purportedly a directive to Kabul-based Taliban security forces orders the targeting of Panjshiris in Kabul. The letter identifies an ‘alley’ in the 4th Police District as being home to several Panjshiri families and tells the group that clearing operations should commence there. The specific location was not provided in the letter.
- ISIS-K THREATS DURING MUHARRAM – A source in Kabul says that intelligence gathered from a recent raid on an ISIS-K safe house indicates that a terror operation was being planned to disrupt the Muharram period and was aimed at Shiite worshippers. At-risk Afghans will likely see an increased security presence in many of the cities and particularly in areas where Shiites gather.
- MONSOON RAIN EXPECTED FOR SINDH PROVINCE TODAY – Heavy rains were forecasted today in Karachi. The storm front is expected to lash the coastal areas for the next 3 to 4 days. No flood warnings have yet been issued but emergency managers are watching the forecast closely.
|