[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- TALIBAN AND PAKISTANI FORCES EXCHANGE FIRE AT BORDER – Reports of a cross-border exchange of fire between both Pakistani and Taliban border elements near the Chaman Spin Boldak crossing caused a temporary closure of the border today. At least 2 people were killed and another was wounded during the incident, both of those who died were Pakistani nationals and one was said to be a child. Pakistani authorities have called on the Taliban to hand over those responsible to face justice.
- TALIBAN TELL PAKISTAN THE PLAN TO EVICT AFGHANS IS UNACCEPTABLE – The Taliban roared back at Pakistan over claims that Afghan nationals in Pakistan constituted a threat to national security and pointed to the decades that Afghans have resided in Pakistan without taking part in anti-government sentiment. The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid called the threat of deportation…unacceptable. For its part, Pakistan pointed to those militants it has either killed or captured in recent attacks along the frontiers and claimed that over 35% of them were Afghan citizens. Both sides are making preparations to deport/receive the Afghans as plans have been announced to establish refugee camps in Afghanistan and committees are being formed in Pakistan to carry out the deportations.
- AFGHAN EMBASSY IN NETHERLANDS OFFERS CONSULAR SERVICES – The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Afghan consulate in Amsterdam had reopened and was already assisting Afghan citizens in the Netherlands with consular functions. The consular section will be open Monday through Wednesday and Thursdays will be reserved for those Afghans who make appointments to be seen.
- THE US WALKS A FINE LINE WITH BI-LATERAL RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN OVER DEPORTATION THREATS – A State Department spokesman deflected questions over what the US was planning to do with regard to the threat of deporting Afghans from Pakistan on 1 November. At a briefing on Tuesday, the spokesman said only that “Pakistan has been an important partner when it has come to the resettlement of Afghans who are fleeing and looking to resettle.” The administration has made it clear that it would like to be free of the problem of the refugees but has also voiced a commitment to make good on promises to evacuate those with valid claims for asylum, parole, and special immigrant visas.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Nuristan: NRF forces launched two separate attacks against Taliban personnel yesterday. The first attack targeted a Taliban checkpoint in Mandol and lasted well into the night. The second attack targeted a building used by the Taliban in Doab. Additional skirmishes were reported but not confirmed at several checkpoints in the province. 2 Talib fighters were killed and 5 were wounded in both operations.
NEXT 24 HOURS: No Threats Reported
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