LAST 24 HOURS
GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS REPORTED IN KABUL SUNDAY EVENING – Video, audio, and photographic evidence of a clash in the Khair Khana neighborhood of Police District 11 was reported late on Sunday afternoon. No information has arrived which could shed light on what the shooting was about. Some sources reported a significant explosion as well as light weapons fire and said the fighting lasted for approximately one hour.
TALIBAN ARREST SUSPECT FROM THE TEBYAN CULTURAL CENTER BOMBING – GDI Agents arrested Aynuddin Mohammad, son of Abdul Wakil (known ISIS-K terrorist), and accuses him of perpetrating the bomb attack that killed the former Taliban Governor of Balkh Province. It was not clear when he was arrested but GDI agents made the announcement on Sunday and claimed to have obtained a signed confession from him. They went on to say he had been involved in the attack on journalists in Mazar-i-Sharif as well as three other terrorist operations. The Taliban said they had information about several planned attacks in Faryab Province.
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR SETS DEADLINE FOR PERSONAL GUN REGISTRATION – All government employees who carry weapons were ordered to apply for permission from their particular department sections. In an official announcement, registration began yesterday and would continue until 2 April 2023. The move is said to be a security effort to minimize risk to the State. Those who fail to comply will face unspecified legal consequences. A source familiar with the situation complained that there is not a viable system in place to process registration outside of a few Ministries and opined that most records will likely be only on paper.
MAGNITUDE 4.3 EARTHQUAKE RATTLES BADAKHSHAN ANOTHER HITS DURAND LINE AND KILLS 3 CHILDREN – The third earthquake in the last five days reportedly shook buildings in the capital of Fayzabad on Sunday afternoon. There were no reports of casualties or damage from the Badakhshan earthquake. Another earthquake with a yet unregistered intensity struck the border near Chaman and 3 children were reportedly killed and 5 others injured due to roofs collapsing. No additional information was available.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE SEARCH OPERATIONS EXPECTED IN KHAIR KHANA NEIGHBORHOOD OF KABUL – In light of yesterday evening’s fighting in Northwest Kabul, it seems likely that search operations will take place in the area and may extend throughout Police District 11 and possibly into other Districts. It is not clear who the Taliban clashed with on Sunday evening. Historically, search operations typically follow such encounters and at-risk Afghans living in Khair Khana should be prepared for their homes, vehicles, and persons to be searched.
POSSIBLE SECURITY OPERATIONS IN FARYAB PLANNED – After the arrest of the suspected ISIS-K terrorist, Aynuddin Mohammad, in Balkh Province by GDI agents the Taliban announced they had interrogated the young man and he admitted to having been planning actions in Faryab. It is possible that GDI agents have enough information to search possible ISIS-K hideouts in the Province. At-risk Afghans in Faryab should be aware that such operations could take place soon.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime says its Navy had successfully warned off a US spy plane in the Gulf of Oman yesterday. The US has neither confirmed nor denied the incident.
A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry made remarks on Sunday, warning Israel and the international community that it reserves the right to respond in kind to Israeli provocations.
The international community is eagerly awaiting details about a reputed nuclear deal with the IAEA.
PAKISTAN
A Sikh trader was murdered in Peshawar on Friday and ISIS-K may be responsible. Police say the man was managing his store when unidentified gunmen arrived on a motorcycle and shot him. No arrests have been made.
Imran Khan announced that he is ready to negotiate over elections. However, the Government is adhering to plans for the scheduled October election schedule.
Trouble is brewing over the recent decision to turn over major airport operations to Qatar. The decision has come under fire domestically and especially from the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Afghanistan’s Ambassadors Fly the Flag Against the Taliban
By Jacob Judah - Foreign Policy
PARIS and LONDON—The grand reception rooms of Afghanistan’s embassy in France, a large 19th century building nestled in an exclusive corner of western Paris, are suffocatingly silent. The fallen Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, overthrown by the Taliban 19 months ago, is putting on its last show in empty salons such as these across the world. The cast is a shrinking number of exiled diplomats struggling to stop the curtain from falling altogether.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban Intelligence Arrests Perpetrator of Afghanistan’s Balkh Explosions
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Intelligence Department has announced the arrest of one of the perpetrators involved in several deadly attacks in the Balkh province of…
Kabul Residents Despair Over Rise in Food Prices
By TOLO News
The shopkeepers meanwhile said that they are purchasing the commodities at a high price and thus they are obliged to sell at high…
Over 500,000 Passports Issued Last Solar Year: Officials
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
“We distribute around 10,000 passports a day, including in the capital city, Kabul,” he…
REGIONAL NEWS
Technical Study of TAPI Project Completed: Deputy Minister
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The deputy Minister of Mines and Petroleum said that the technical study of the TAPI Pipeline Project has been completed and that there is no…
British men detained by Taliban regime 'in contact' with families amid UK Government talks
By Will Taylor - LBC
"They were able to spend about 10 minutes this morning in an unscripted conversation, which is very…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan woman tells of relief as visa refusal overturned
By Abbi Garton-Crosbie The National
A WOMAN who was at risk of being sent back to Afghanistan and feared for her life has spoken of her happiness and excitement at hearing she will be…
Syria: Another Iranian Revolutionary Guard aide dies after Israeli air strike
By Ariana News
A military adviser to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps died of his injuries after an Israeli air strike near Syria’s capital, the Iranian…
THE DAILY WTF
Mining ministry reports six-fold rise in revenue
By Ariana News
According to officials, the revenue of the ministry totalled 17 billion afghanis in the solar year 1401, while it was 2.5 billion…
‘If the numbers are accurate, it is startling to consider just how much graft and corruption may have been systemic in the commodities sector under the old regime. Especially considering the lack of new market outlets.’ TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.89 AFN (as of 3 APR 2023)
