[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- LARGE AVALANCHE IN BADAKHSHAN, CASUALTIES REPORTED – Two districts along the border with Tajikistan reported the avalanche had killed at least 12 citizens and destroyed approximately 50 homes. Heavy snow has affected the Province and an earlier avalanche claimed the lives of 2 people when it swept a vehicle off a mountain road earlier in the week. Limited emergency services units were unable to assist the region over fears that heavy truck traffic could cause additional damage. Tajikistan reported 17 of its citizens had been killed by avalanches on its side of the border.
- TALIBAN BAN CONTRACEPTION, SAY IT IS WESTERN EVIL – The Taliban have reputedly forced storekeepers and medical clinics to halt the sales of contraceptive devices in several cities. Since the takeover, many midwives have been threatened by security forces personnel for providing contraceptives. It is not clear if this is an official national policy at this time.
- SUICIDE BOMBER IN SOUTH WAZIRISTAN ATTACK SAID TO HAVE COME FROM AFGHANISTAN – Pakistani authorities say the perpetrator of the suicide bombing in South Waziristan last Thursday was one Nik Rahman Mahsud and that he came from Logar. The TTP claimed credit for the attack and the continued use of Afghan citizens in these attacks is thought to be the main reason Pakistan’s security forces have been ordered to interview Afghan populations in the country.
- KARACHI POLICE STATION ATTACKED BY GUNMEN – In a brazen evening attack, a group of unidentified gunmen targeted the Karachi Police Office which is the headquarters for the Police in the city (Saddar neighborhood). Sources say the attack was carried out by 12 men in police uniforms and a significant gunfight broke out between police and the armed group. 3 of the attackers were said to have been killed and 4 Pakistanis are dead with another 18 security force members wounded. It is not clear what happened to the other 9 gunmen who launched the attack. The TTP has claimed credit for the attack but this has yet to be verified.
- US ANNOUNCES IT HAS KILLED A SENIOR ISIS LEADER IN SYRIA – The leader, Hamza al-Homsi, was said to have been killed in an air assault (helicopter) raid in Northeast Syria on Thursday. Officials said that no other ISIS militants were killed or captured in the engagement. 4 Americans were wounded in the fighting.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN INCREASING ITS SECURITY POSTURE – After the attack on the Police Headquarters in Karachi, Islamabad announced it was raising its domestic security stance to its highest level. Several sources have stated there are forthcoming attacks planned in other cities across the country as the TTP tries to destabilize the regime. At-risk Afghans will see significantly more patrolling in cities and the security checkpoints at entrances have been reinforced. As some of the recent suicide bombing attacks have been attributed to Afghan nationals, it is likely that searches of locales frequented by Afghan refugees will intensify. Yesterday’s search operations in Golra resulted in the search of 40 houses, 7 motorcycles, and over 30 pedestrians. Officials in Islamabad said search operations had been scheduled for all of Islamabad over the coming days.
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