[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- BUS BOMBED IN KABUL – Early Saturday morning, a blast targeted a bus in West Kabul (Dewan Begi neighborhood) and several people were injured. The device was hidden in a flowerpot near a bus stop. No group has claimed responsibility and no other details are known about the incident.
- BAMYAN HOME SEARCHES RESTRICTED – Governor Mawlawi Abdullah Sarhadi in Bamyan issued an edict that no houses will be searched without a ‘security permission letter’ in the Province, effective immediately. Afghanistan observers believe similar edicts will be issued in other Provinces. However, Provinces, where Resistance forces are operating, are not expected to enforce such measures. The searches of homes by Taliban security forces have been a constant point of contention between even pro-Taliban citizens and the regime. Whether the Taliban security forces will follow the Governor’s proclamation remains to be seen.
- GLOBAL PROTEST STAGED – Online organizers of the ‘Stop Hazara Genocide’ campaign has coordinated protests in 91 cities around the world starting today (8 October) and concluding on Sunday. The World Council of Hazaras has sanctioned the events and expressed their hope they would bring attention to the issues facing Hazara communities in Afghanistan.
- EDUCATION LEADER ARRESTED – The Taliban were witnessed taking Qambar Salari, the head of the Jangan education center in Daikundi, into custody. Salari has been a vocal proponent of women’s rights. According to a source in the Ministry of the Interior, Salari had been accused of promoting participation in an online social media campaign (Stop Hazara Genocide). His whereabouts and disposition are currently unknown.
CONFLICT TRACKER:
Khost: A NRF strike force attacked the Taliban base at the Garez area of the province. A total of 7 casualties were confirmed but the number of those killed was undetermined. Taliban air units were used to transport the wounded.
NEXT 24 HOURS
INCREASED SOCIAL MEDIA MONITORING – As news of globally coordinated protests against terrorism and oppression made its way into the Palace in Kabul, the Ministry of the Interior called in the two special cells created to monitor social media. They hope to single out dissidents and potential troublemakers within Afghanistan and in surrounding countries. The units will be active over the coming week and will likely be conducting online surveillance of posts tied to the protests. At-risk Afghans are encouraged to maintain a low profile on their social media feeds to avoid unnecessary attention and possible arrest throughout the coming week. |