[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- LARGE SCALE ANTI-CHRISTIAN RIOTS IN PAKISTAN – Angry mobs descended on a Christian church In Faisalabad and ransacked and burned it. The mob was angry after word spread that a Christian man had been accused of blasphemy for possibly burning a Quran. The mob then began attacking homes of Christians and several fires have been reported across the city. Several of the main roadways were blocked and both police and the military have responded to the situation. Unconfirmed reports that many people were injured and that ‘lynch mobs’ had been organized to find and persecute Christians are being shared on social media. The government is attempting to contain the riots in Punjab but there are fears they could spread.
- TTP LEADER RUMORED TO HAVE BEEN TARGETED ALONG PAK-AFGHAN BORDER – Asad Afridi, a former leader of the TTP was reportedly targeted by a drone in the Gaz Dara region along the border. Afridi reportedly suffered major injuries in the attack and 2 others who were with him were said to have been killed. It is not clear who may have been behind the strike and this information has yet to be verified.
- US SECRETARY OF STATE COMMENTS ON AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL – Antony Blinken spoke at a press conference yesterday to mark the two-year anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal. In his remarks, he claimed that the decision to withdraw US forces was a difficult one but was also the right decision.
- TALIBAN BAN ON POLITICAL PARTIES NOT UNEXPECTED – The Ministry of Justice announced yesterday that all political parties are banned across the country because they are not based on Sharia law. The formal proclamation will likely add fuel to those opposed to the defacto regime and will make the process of international recognition even more remote.
- PASSPORTS FOR AFGHANS LIVING ABROAD NOW MORE EXPENSIVE – The Passport Directorate announced it was raising the cost of a new passport from $120.00 to $220.00. The additional costs have been attributed to inflation and increased procurement costs from a new supplier.
CONFLICT TRACKER:
Takhar: NRF forces reportedly ambushed a Taliban security vehicle in Talaqan at approximately 1600hrs local. The NRF tram is said to have killed 4 Taliban and wounded 1 other in the engagement.
Kabul: Bomb blasts and gunfire were spotted in Police District 11 in Kabul on Tuesday evening. It is said that AFF units attacked a Taliban security checkpoint in Khair Khana and that 4 Taliban were possibly killed and 6 more were wounded.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE FURTHER ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE TODAY – After the violent demonstrations targeting Christians, their homes/businesses, and their places of worship shook Punjab Province yesterday, the government dispatched thousands of police and military personnel to try to disperse rioters and regain control of the security situation. There is a possibility the riots could spread to other cities across the country. |