[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- ANOTHER PAKISTANI RAID NEAR THE BORDER KILLS 6 – Pakistani Army forces launched another round of raids in the Tank and North Waziristan Districts on Friday and both resulted in sizeable gun battles with militants. The clashes resulted in a total of 6 militants killed but did not say which organizations they were from and how many were killed in each engagement. Both operations were conducted close to the border with Afghanistan and weapons and ammunition that was recovered are thought to have originated from within Afghanistan.
- US PRESIDENT’S REMARKS HAILED BY TALIBAN AS ‘REDEMPTIVE’ – Most Afghanistan observers expected the press to lambast President Biden for the controversial remarks he made upon receiving questions about the recent State Department report. In a comment made ‘off the cuff’, he claimed that Al Qaeda was no longer present in Afghanistan. Critics immediately jumped on the comments and dredged up recent analysis from the United Nations and other agencies that allege Al Qaeda not only continues to operate in Afghanistan but in an unfettered capacity. However, the Taliban also seized on the comments and used them to make a case that it was fulfilling its international obligations with regard to terrorism and ought to be credited for its actions. It's not clear what actions they may be referring to, as the regime recently appointed several Al Qaeda leaders to senior leadership positions.
- JUNE WAS ANOTHER BLOODY MONTH FOR PAKISTAN – Analysis of terrorist actions carried out by the TTP in June reveals that nearly 160 soldiers were killed and/or wounded during the month. While the casualties incurred in May were slightly higher (206 killed/wounded), the latest figures are not being taken as a sign that the rest of 2023 will be less violent. However, the ongoing relocation of suspected TTP sympathizers from areas adjacent to the Durand Line could have an impact on the organization’s viability over the rest of the year and casualties may continue to fall. A bright spot in Pakistan’s war against terror has been its success in targeting senior TTP Commanders recently. Intelligence gathering operations have successfully produced timely and actionable information which has allowed counter-terrorism forces to deal with leaders of the terror group much more effectively. While it is not publicly discussed, there are suspicions that the Taliban in Afghanistan may be cooperating with Pakistan on at least a limited basis. It's no secret that the TTP has become a bit of a thorn in the side of Kabul as it seeks to increase trade and economic cooperation with its neighbor to the East.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Parwan: The NRF claimed to have carried out an attack against a Taliban security checkpoint in Bagram district on Friday night. 1 Taliban fighter was reportedly killed and 1 was said to be injured.
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