[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- CONFUSION OVER RECENT KABUL BOMBING – Taliban authorities casually dismissed the vehicle bombing in Police District 4 that occurred on Sunday. However, several independent media outlets have attributed the attack to the NRF and claimed those killed in the blast were members of the Taliban’s intelligence unit (GDI). Taliban police say the investigation is ongoing and have not provided additional information as of publication.
- TALIBAN GOVERNOR TO PANJSHIR VISITS MASSOUD’S TOMB – Mohammad Mohsen Hashemi visited the tomb of the martyred leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud, on Monday in an attempt to disprove allegations that the tomb had been defiled by Taliban forces. However, the tomb was known to have been desecrated on at least two occasions. The Taliban claim the acts were done by Resistance elements to incite northerners while the Resistance claims it was done out of disrespect for the former leader.
- POWER OUTAGES AND ‘BROWN OUTS’ IN KABUL – As a result of the Uzbek decision to lower power exports, outages have affected businesses and inhabitants alike. The decision was prompted by a technical issue and there has been no word on how long the situation may continue.
- CHINA AND RUSSIA COURTING TAJIKISTAN – Over the past week, Tajikistan has entered into discussions with regional heavies China and Russia. The discussions were bilateral but the timing seemed to be coordinated and was likely meant as an alternative to a recent visit by a US-led delegation. The Government of Tajikistan discussed the following issues:
- Chinese-Tajik military cooperation focused on countering terrorism.
- The Russian intelligence chief proposed greater intelligence cooperation/sharing.
- POSSIBLE TALIBAN RIVALRY RESULTS IN DEATH OF KUNAR OFFICIAL – The Taliban confirmed that the Agricultural Director of the Province, Mawlavi Ezzatullah Hedayat, died in his office on Tuesday from a heart attack. However, local sources say he was killed by gunmen and that a long-running dispute with an unidentified rival Taliban official in the Province was the cause for the attack.
- PAKISTAN/TALIBAN COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS BORDER ISSUES IN PAKTIA FORMED – A purported road-building project has caused several clashes along a section of the Durand Line over the past week that has resulted in casualties on both sides of the border. Mimicking a strategy to defuse the Spin Boldak-Chaman situation, both sides agreed to establish a committee to attempt to de-escalate tensions along the border.
NEXT 24 HOURS
CENTRAL BANK TO AUCTION $17 MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW – Recent fluctuations of the Afghani have spurred the Central Bank’s decision to increase the amounts put up for auction.