[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- ISIS-K PUBLISHES THREAT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL NGOs OPERATING IN AFGHANISTAN – An article attributed to ISIS-K was published in the Al-Samood magazine and ISIS’s propaganda site, the Voice of Khorasan, which blames several high-profile NGOs in the country for spreading Shia Islamic beliefs and co-opting the Taliban to do the bidding of the West. The article goes on to threaten the NGOs and warns Afghans to stay away from their facilities and aid distribution sites.
- MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR MANDATE CELL PHONE REGISTRATION – Several news outlets reported that the Ministry of the Interior met with businessmen who cell mobile phones in the country and informed them of a new protocol that must be observed when selling a mobile device. Customers must now fill out a form and provide their personal information when purchasing a phone. The Taliban said the new process is intended to reduce crime and improve security.
- BRITISH YOUTUBER REPORTED MISSING IN AFGHANISTAN – Lord Miles (Miles Routledge) has been officially declared ‘missing’ by the Taliban on their public relations social media sites. The Taliban Public Relations Department’s Twitter page posted on 15 March that the young man had last been seen in Eastern Afghanistan on 6 March. They stated that an investigation had begun and the UK Embassy in Islamabad had been informed. On 16 March, the PR Department Twitter account was updated with a cryptic message stating that new information had been received but could not be released until they had received authorization.
- FORMER PM KHAN’S ARREST WARRANT SUSPENDED – A federal court suspended the contentious warrant for the former PM in exchange for a guarantee he would appear before the court in Islamabad on Saturday. Security precautions were being prepared in the capitol in anticipation of his arrival.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nangarhar: ISIS-K claimed an attack targeting the governor of Sherzad district. An IED was reportedly employed to target the governor’s vehicle. 4 people were reportedly wounded in the attack, including the governor.
Balkh: A significant gunfight took place late last night in the Dasht Shoor neighborhood of Mazar-i-Sharif. Fighting continued into the early morning hours. It is unclear which group may have initiated hostilities, but the Taliban reportedly moved in force toward the Siah Gerd area. Heavy and constant gunfire was reported for several hours. At least one explosion was thought to have occurred. There has been no information concerning casualties at this time. A late, unconfirmed report has suggested the Taliban engaged two different ISIS-K safe houses in Mazar-i-Sharif.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- ISLAMABAD BRACES FOR POSSIBLE VIOLENCE – Due to the drama surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s corruption trial, Pakistan’s security and judicial leaders are implementing several special protocols for his expected appearance in court today. The security protocols are:
- The court case has been moved from the F8 Court Complex to the G-11 Judicial Complex to ensure Khan’s personal safety.
- Section 144, a ban on public gatherings and display of weapons, has been imposed across all of Islamabad.
- Private companies, security guards, and individuals will not be allowed to carry weapons for the duration of the court proceedings.
- Citizens and visitors are required to have their documents on them while they move around the city.
- Vehicular travel in sectors G-11/1 and G-10/1 is discouraged.
- Shipping containers have been put in place around the Judicial Complex
- Based on the PTI party’s actions during Khan’s court appearance last month, violence is deemed likely. At-risk Afghans residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are advised to avoid the areas near the Judicial Complex and any sites where large concentrations of police vehicles/personnel are stationed. These will be obvious targets for any PTI supporters who wish to protest their leader’s treatment.