[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- PAKISTAN LAUNCHES MASSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO BAJAUR BOMBING – Sources from several government agencies say they have received very clear instructions from the top levels of the Government to expedite the investigation into the Bajaur Terrorist attack. After ISIS-K officially claimed credit for carrying out the heinous attack, all discussions suggesting the action may have been carried out by rival political parties ceased. The Bajaur attack is the largest loss of life suffered from the many terrorist attacks that have taken place in 2023. Currently, 54 people lost their lives and hundreds are injured. Some of the injured are not expected to recover.
- TALIBAN BORDER SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE INCREASED SEARCHES OF AFGHANS CROSSING THE BORDER AT TORKHAM – Several sources say that additional Taliban female security personnel have been added to the border contingent at Torkham Gate and are routinely searching the female travelers when they attempt to cross. In some instances, funds and documents that were being kept by female family members was taken. It is not clear what is done with the confiscated property and whether this is now National policy or simply criminal conduct.
- PAKISTAN MOVES MORE MILITARY FORCES TO THE BORDER WITH AFGHANISTAN – Sources in Rawalpindi say that additional combat forces have been moved to reinforce four positions along the Durand Line after the Bajaur bomb attack. It was not clear if the moves were normally scheduled rotations or if the units had been moved forward in response to the bombing.
- EUROPEAN AVIATION AUTHORITY ISSUES WARNING FOR FLIGHTS OVER PAKISTAN – EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) issued a warning to airline operators to remain above 7,900m/26,000ft when flying over Lahore and Karachi. The basis for the alert appears to be an unconfirmed report of a terrorist group that may have a MANPAD surface-to-air system. Typically, a MANPAD system is a shoulder-launched air defense weapon used to target aircraft flying at lower altitudes. No additional information was provided and the alert does not specify a duration for the flight restrictions. A survey of several aviation tracking websites did not show a major disruption to flights in the area but those could take place in the future should the information be verified.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kapisa: The National Resistance Front published details fo an operation in the Kohband district that reportedly ended in the death of 2 Taliban, while 2 others were said to have been injured. The attack is said to have taken place after midnight yesterday.
NEXT 24 HOURS
FLOODING EXPECTED TODAY IN EASTERN PORTIONS OF AFGHANISTAN – Both Pakistan and Afghanistan’s meteorological agencies say the rain that has blanketed the eastern Provinces of the country will precipitate flooding along roads and low-lying areas. The rains are expected to move out of the area late tonight. Travel is ill-advised in the affected areas. |