[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- TARGETED KILLINGS OF TTP LEADERS REPORTED IN AFGHANISTAN – A foreign source with knowledge of the situation reported that 2 senior Commanders of Tehreek-e-Taliban had recently been assassinated in Kandahar and Nangarhar Provinces respectively. In both incidents, the gunmen responsible for the killings were unidentified. Pro-Taliban social media sites have claimed it is the work of ISIS-K, but no proof was provided. No further information was available.
- HAQQANI / BARADAR RIFT WIDENS – As more information becomes known about the suicide bombing of the Al-Fatah Mosque (Ministry of the Interior) on 5 October, the evidence is beginning to point to a targeted assassination attempt of Sirajuddin Haqqani. Several local outlets have continued to report that the Minister had left the Mosque minutes before the explosion. While most have attributed the attack to ISIS-K, some analysts are speculating it may have a more inter-factional dimension than previously thought. While we have yet to fully analyze the recent appointments made across the Taliban regime, a cursory examination suggests that most of the appointees are thought to be loyal to the Kandarhari/Baradar faction of the Taliban.
- PAKISTAN’S FORMER PM AND HIS LONG MARCH – Former Prime Minister Imran Khan led a large number of his supporters from Lahore to Islamabad to demand early elections be held. While the protest is being couched as a peaceful one, the memory of the violence that broke out during a similar march in May seems to have provoked the sitting Government to take serious security precautions. The number of visible police along the route of the march and in Islamabad is said to be nearly double that of what was employed in May. Khan has promised to avoid areas where supporters could clash with police but with the sheer numbers involved and heightened tensions, it could easily get out of hand. At-risk Afghans sheltering in Pakistan are advised to remain off the streets and far away from any potential flashpoints between police and demonstrators. In addition, some at-risk Afghans and evacuation groups have reported major disruptions to cellular communications and internet access. The duration of the protests is currently not known but it is likely that many protesters will remain in Islamabad over the coming days.
- POSSIBLE MOSQUE BOMBING IN KABUL – Early reporting indicated a blast had taken place at the Sheikh Mohammad Rouhani Mosque (5th Police District) on Friday afternoon. The Taliban seemed to confirm the news but did not provide details on the numbers killed or injured. Unconfirmed accounts of the explosion say that between 7 and 10 worshippers had been injured. No group had immediately taken credit for the attack and no additional details were available.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Panjshir: NRF forces were active in Annaba (Faraj Valley), conducting simultaneous attacks on two Taliban security posts. Casualties were reported at both security checkpoints, but an accurate accounting was not available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN SITUATION – Using May’s event as a guide, it seems clear that some of Khan’s supporters will likely stay in Islamabad to continue protests over the next several days. While there was not much residual violence from the previous march, things could be different this time and at-risk Afghans are encouraged to maintain situational awareness before venturing out and/or exposing themselves.
Daily Evacuation Brief | October 28, 2022
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- BIZARRE SPATE OF APPOINTMENTS MADE – Afghanistan observers are puzzled over the recent appointments to senior positions across the de facto government. In nearly every case, those appointed appeared to be unqualified to administer the various departments and agencies under their purview. The appointments seem to fly in the face of the Supreme Leader’s recent edicts about placing competent and qualified personnel in positions of administration. Our analysis indicates the lack of expertise will hobble efforts to get programs and institutions back up and running effectively, further exacerbating the humanitarian and financial crisis.
- BRAZEN ATTACK IN HERAT – Sources within the Resistance have indicated the attack in Herat is a harbinger of what can be expected during the upcoming Winter months. A vehicle was fired upon by unidentified gunmen and 5 Taliban (or contracted employees of the Taliban) were killed. The vehicle was known to belong to the 207th Corps, stationed in Herat and conflicting information has been received concerning the identities/occupations of those killed. The official release said they were contracted healthcare workers who provided services to the 207th Corps. Regardless, the attack was carried out in daylight and in the heart of the city. While we have witnessed several bombing incidents take place in urban areas during daylight hours, attacks by multiple gunmen have been a rarity. The sources suggested these attacks may be more common as the weather turns cold.
- NANGARHAR LAND REFORM COMMITTEE MEETS – The group charged with coming up with a land redistribution plan met for the first time and local observers expressed concern over the lack of representation in the group for ethnic/religious minorities represented in the Province. One local source who claims to have seen the notes of the meeting believed the plan was likely going to end in violence as many of the areas identified would require forcible eviction of the current property owners.
CONFLICT TRACKER
Kandahar: An unknown group is said to have ambushed a vehicle column, and claim to have killed Mohammad Akbar Haqqani, a senior Taliban leader in the province. The ambush is believed to have taken place in the first police district, killing 3 Taliban. This information is unverified.
Herat: 5 Taliban were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a Taliban convoy of the 207th Corps in Herat. The Taliban announced that those killed were medical personnel assigned to the unit. |