[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- EXPLOSION IN JALALABAD – A blast was reported in Jalalabad’s fourth district on Saturday, near the Sikh Temple (Darmsal). 6 non-combatants were reportedly injured. The circumstances around the explosion are not currently known and no further information was available.
- SUSPECT IN PAKISTAN EMBASSY ATTACK REPORTEDLY DETAINED – Sources in Pakistan have confirmed that a man who is thought to have participated in the attacks on the Pakistan Charge d’Affaires and its diplomatic facilities was arrested by Taliban authorities. The Taliban used a phone number to track the man’s location and raided a building adjacent to the Embassy. Upon entry, they discovered the man attempting to escape and quickly arrested him. The room was on the 8th floor of the building and was wired with three separate explosives and contained multiple weapons. In an unconfirmed report, Taliban Police are said to have arrested another co-conspirator but no details were provided. In both situations, the electronic devices of both men were said to be recovered intact and may lead to further arrests.
- FORMER PRESIDENT KARZAI TRAVELS TO THE UAE AND GERMANY – This is Karzai’s first international trip since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. There was some controversy over earlier trips that had reportedly been planned by the former President. In those instances, the Taliban reputedly denied his request to travel for unspecified reasons. Karzai is traveling to seek medical treatment in Germany and his purpose for visiting the UAE is not known.
- BERGDAHL EXCHANGE SITE TO BE MADE INTO A MONUMENT – The Taliban held a ceremony and the Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, laid the first stone of a proposed monument to freedom that is expected to be built on the site. The 5 prisoners the Obama administration exchanged for US Army Sergeant Bergdahl
are all currently serving in high positions in the nascent regime....that’s Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who deliberately left his base to meet up with the Taliban in 2009, for which he was charged with desertion and some other things before President Obama decided to trade him for some high value Talibs who were taking up space in Guantanamo. After five years as a Taliban prisoner he was traded for Mohammad Fazl, Khairullah Khairkhwa, Abdul Haq Wasiq, Norullah Noori, and Mohammad Nabi Omari...
How proud former president Obama must feel. If any of our ghosts in the night happen to be in the area, perhaps they could pay them a visit.
- CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS MAKE THEIR CASE FOR THE TALIBAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY – Conferences were held in Herat and Nimroz with hundreds of civil society activists and leaders in attendance. At least half of the attendees at both gatherings were women. The activists used the events to voice their concerns about several issues facing the civil population. The chief complaint focused on the Taliban’s stance with regard to women. The Taliban’s response to the events was muted and neutral. A series of similarly-themed nationwide gatherings have been planned.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- SECURITY OPERATIONS IN KABUL TO CONTINUE – Interrogations of the two men the Taliban have taken into custody are expected to reveal others who may have been involved in the plot. As a result, additional clearing operations are expected to take place in and around Kabul.
- WINTER SLOWS DOWN RESISTANCE ACTIVITIES – Sources close to the NRF and two other Resistance groups claim they will limit operations as winter descends on the country. While some operations are expected to continue, they will likely focus on limited objectives and serve as a means of harassing Taliban forces. The majority of these operations are expected to take place in mainly urban areas. A source in the Ministry of Defense has suggested the Taliban security forces in the North have focused on improving defensive positions around their garrisons in the North and do not anticipate launching major offensive operations over the course of the colder months. Poor weather will limit the ability to use air assets to support attacks and/or respond to Resistance incursions. Terrorism activity is expected to continue throughout the Winter months and is expected to focus on high-priority targets located in urban areas and power distribution networks.
- CENTRAL BANK AUCTION – Da Afghanistan Bank has nearly doubled the frequency with which it is auctioning US dollars. On Sunday, it will auction approximately $15 million dollars.