LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN LAUNCHES MASSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO BAJAUR BOMBING – Sources from several government agencies say they have received very clear instructions from the top levels of the Government to expedite the investigation into the Bajaur Terrorist attack. After ISIS-K officially claimed credit for carrying out the heinous attack, all discussions suggesting the action may have been carried out by rival political parties ceased. The Bajaur attack is the largest loss of life suffered from the many terrorist attacks that have taken place in 2023. Currently, 54 people lost their lives and hundreds are injured. Some of the injured are not expected to recover.
TALIBAN BORDER SECURITY PERSONNEL HAVE INCREASED SEARCHES OF AFGHANS CROSSING THE BORDER AT TORKHAM – Several sources say that additional Taliban female security personnel have been added to the border contingent at Torkham Gate and are routinely searching the female travelers when they attempt to cross. In some instances, funds and documents that were being kept by female family members was taken. It is not clear what is done with the confiscated property and whether this is now National policy or simply criminal conduct.
PAKISTAN MOVES MORE MILITARY FORCES TO THE BORDER WITH AFGHANISTAN – Sources in Rawalpindi say that additional combat forces have been moved to reinforce four positions along the Durand Line after the Bajaur bomb attack. It was not clear if the moves were normally scheduled rotations or if the units had been moved forward in response to the bombing.
EUROPEAN AVIATION AUTHORITY ISSUES WARNING FOR FLIGHTS OVER PAKISTAN – EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) issued a warning to airline operators to remain above 7,900m/26,000ft when flying over Lahore and Karachi. The basis for the alert appears to be an unconfirmed report of a terrorist group that may have a MANPAD surface-to-air system. Typically, a MANPAD system is a shoulder-launched air defense weapon used to target aircraft flying at lower altitudes. No additional information was provided and the alert does not specify a duration for the flight restrictions. A survey of several aviation tracking websites did not show a major disruption to flights in the area but those could take place in the future should the information be verified.
NEXT 24 HOURS
FLOODING EXPECTED TODAY IN EASTERN PORTIONS OF AFGHANISTAN – Both Pakistan and Afghanistan’s meteorological agencies say the rain that has blanketed the eastern Provinces of the country will precipitate flooding along roads and low-lying areas. The rains are expected to move out of the area late tonight. Travel is ill-advised in the affected areas.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
An Iranian Air Force training aircraft reportedly crashed in Alborz Province, killing both occupants. No details were provided about the circumstances of the crash.
Russia announced it was providing visa-free travel to Iranian and Chinese nationals starting on 1 August.
Iran announced that it had reached 3.1 million barrels per day production. Many believe the petroleum output is the only sector keeping the lights on for the government.
PAKISTAN
Saudi Arabia and the UAE announced they intended to invest nearly $50 million dollars in several commodity-centric sectors.
While marking the 10-year anniversary of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement, both countries signed six new agreements for ancillary projects related to infrastructure.
The official death toll from the recent flooding events continues to climb as reports from rural areas are slowly being received. Well over 200 deaths have been reported and there are fears the number will double in the days ahead.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Whatever Happened to Al Qaeda?
By Daniel Byman - Foreign Policy
For an organization that once struck fear into the hearts and minds of millions of Americans after Sept. 11, 2001, and sparked a so-called global war on terror that dramatically reoriented U.S. foreign policy for two decades, al Qaeda’s almost complete disappearance from both the daily news headlines and the broader foreign-policy conversation in Washington these days is remarkable.
AFGHAN NEWS
Instruments thrown on fire as Taliban declares music immoral in Afghanistan
By Sky News
Now, in the northwestern region of Herat, officials from Afghanistan's vice ministry have been throwing musical…
What happens when a trans journalist becomes embedded with the Taliban & hides their identity
By Molly Lipson - LGBTQ Nation
The idea of someone transitioning while embedded with the Taliban sounds more like the plot of a dramatic movie than a real-life…
Watchdog: Taliban disregards threats against prosecutors in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
The US-based International Organization for Transitional Justice and Peace (ITJP) issued a statement on Monday in response to the Taliban’s stance on the safety of prosecutors…
REGIONAL NEWS
IS claims responsibility for the bombing that killed 54 at a pro-Taliban election rally in Pakistan
By The Toronto Star
An Afghan branch of Islamic State on Monday claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing in Pakistan that killed at least 54 people at a…
Positive steps taken on Helmand water rights: Iran
By Fide Rahmati - Khaama Press
Iran’s Vice President for Legal Affairs, Mohammad Dehqan, negotiations with de facto authorities of Afghanistan about the Helmand water rights have…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
US and allies cut aid to Afghanistan for this year by $2 billion
By Ariana News
Thomas West said that the decision was taken in light of the Islamic Emirate’s policies that the US disapproves…
Lack of Women's Presence in Meetings on Afghanistan Criticized
By TOLO News
Some of these women who were interviewed by TOLOnews said that women’s representatives’ presence is necessary in the meetings related to…
THE DAILY WTF
Foreign Organizations’ Campaign is Aimed for Brain Drain from Afghanistan: Mujahid
By Bakhtar News Agency
The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabiullah Mujahid says that a number of foreign organizations including International Organization for Transitional Justice and Peace have launched a campaign to evacuate…
“It is hard to imagine why anyone would want to leave such a bastion of critical thinking and freedom (heavy sarcasm).” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.86 AFN (as of 1 AUG 2023)