[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS- TALIBAN SECURITY OPERATIONS UPDATE – The Taliban have approximately 300 personnel involved in the search effort across Kabul. An additional 8 security checkpoints have been set up across the city. The searches over the past twenty-four hours seem to have included several arrests. Early reports indicated that several Panjshiri youth were detained in sweeps across PD 2. Their status/disposition is currently unknown. The following Police Districts had confirmed search activity (some locations were searched previously):
- PD 15 - Hamid Karzai International Airport, Khwaja Bughra, Khwaja Rawash, Qasaba.
- PD 2 - locations unknown
- PD 3 - Deh Bori, Deh Mazang, Deh Naw, Jamal Mina, Karte Char, Karte Mamorin, Karte Sakhi, Silo.
- PD 6 - Southwestern Darulaman, Karte Seh, Qala-e Shada
- PD 7 - Gozar Gah, Wassel Abad, Chihil Sutun, South Aqa Ali Shams, Deh Dana
- PAKISTAN PESHAWAR POLICE SEARCHES – As a part of counter-terror operations, Pakistani Police went through many of the city’s hostels yesterday and were verifying documentation of those foreigners lodged there. Passports and visas were inspected. It was not clear if any arrests had been made by the end of the day.
- PAKISTAN POLICE MOSQUE BOMBING INVESTIGATORS SAY THE PLOT WAS PLANNED IN AFGHANISTAN, SUPPORTED BY FOREIGNERS – Investigators interviewed by two prominent news organizations say they have identified the bomber through his DNA as Mohammed Ayaz (37) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. 17 people have been arrested by police during the investigation and investigators say they have details related to the planning that indicate it took place in Afghanistan. They went on to say that a ‘foreign intelligence agency’ funded the attack but did not go into details on exactly who they thought was responsible. A delegation of government and religious officials from Pakistan was said to be meeting with the Taliban’s Supreme Leader soon but there is some confusion about where and when the meeting may take place. Pakistan is expected to ask Akhundzada to disavow the TTP and assist Pakistan in neutralizing the terror group. Our analysis suggests the request may fall on deaf ears as the TTP have approximately 5,000 members actively serving in the Taliban’s security forces and could pose a significant threat in Afghanistan should a deal be made between Pakistan and the Taliban. Ultimately, we expect an announcement about cooperation and/or facilitation of dialogue but Pakistan should expect the status quo to remain in effect.
- TALIBAN IMPOSES LIMITS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES AT BORDERS/AIRPORTS – The Taliban announced new limits on the amounts of foreign currencies travelers would be allowed to take/bring with them when they travel (US dollars were specifically mentioned). While several bans have been tried in the past, they were not particularly well enforced. The move was urged by leaders of the central bank who are concerned about the devaluation of the Afghani.
- PUBLIC FLOGGINGS IN GHOR – The punishments were doled out yesterday in Firozkoh to 7 people (1 woman among them). The people had been condemned over a variety of infractions ranging from alcohol consumption to infidelity. The condemned faced between 15-39 lashes, depending on the crimes they were accused of.
NEXT 24 HOURS
- SEARCHES AND SECURITY OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE – We have no indications that security operations will halt. We do not have information about which neighborhoods will be searched today.
- RESULTS OF PAKISTAN INVESTIGATION COULD MEAN CROSS-BORDER COUNTER-TERROR OPERATIONS – While Pakistan is dealing with significant domestic issues, the announcement of Afghanistan’s use as a base to launch the bombing of the Mosque in Peshawar could precipitate Pakistani strikes or raids across the border.