LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTANI POLICE SEARCH HOSTELS IN ISLAMABAD – Several reports came in from the Afghan refugee community about searches that were taking place in East Islamabad. Several hostels commonly frequented by Afghans living in Pakistan received visits from Pakistani police officers. The officers arrived at night and would ask the desk clerks how many Afghans were staying in the hostels and if they had checked their visas when they registered to stay. The officers did not make any arrests but said they would return in 24 hours to question some of the guests. It is not clear if these operations are related to TTP threats but at-risk Afghans should take care to keep their documents with them. If an at-risk Afghan has an expired visa, they should be ready to produce the electronic copy of their extension application or the stamped paper slip provided by SHARP for their UNHCR interviews.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISIS-K SECURITY OPERATION IN KABUL – Several sources within the Taliban say the operation was carried out to disrupt an ISIS-K cell that had targeted one (or several) foreign diplomatic embassies in Kabul. Among some of the evidence collected after the clash was a document, with Russian writing on it, and a pencil sketch of a doorway. The sources said the doorway did not match any portal known at the Russian embassy. It was not clear if the operation was successful in neutralizing the team that may have been targeting a diplomatic facility as they did not find evidence of the large ammonium-nitrate bomb that has long been rumored to have been prepared to destroy an embassy. The sources confirmed that GDI agents and police continued looking for a second ISIS-K cell and disputed an earlier Taliban announcement that the threat had been dealt with.
SHIITE SHRINE CLOSED IN KABUL – The famous Shia shrine, Ziyarat Sakhi, has been closed down due to “sacrilege” and “immoral acts”. Employees of the popular pilgrimage site said the Taliban told them that polytheistic acts that included “kissing science” had been reported and the site would be closed until further notice.
NEXT 24 HOURS
US-PAKISTAN SECURITY COOPERATION MEETING IN PAKISTAN TO START – A high-ranking US delegation will meet with Pakistani officials to discuss mutual cooperation and other agenda items. The bilateral talks will also discuss Taliban-administered Afghanistan. While the locations of the talks have been kept secret it is possible that TTP or other terror networks could attempt to target meetings. It is even more likely that one of the terror groups will try to stage an attack to illustrate their resolve to the US delegation while it is in town. At risk-Afghans in Islamabad are advised to avoid government convoys and concentrations of police/military personnel as these may be likely targets.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
In a flagrant snub, the US military said it was considering sending weapons that were bound for Yemen, but had been seized in a counter-arms smuggling operation off the Yemeni coast.
The regime has announced they have arrested 42 suspects linked to the Shah Cheragh terror attack.
Leaders from Iran and China signed several accords in Beijing during the former’s visit to the country.
PAKISTAN
Security forces are on edge as a US delegation arrived to discuss bilateral cooperation. Police and military checkpoints and patrols have been reinforced.
Pakistan’s foreign-currency reserves were downgraded to CCC- status.
Security forces claim to have arrested 2 terrorists in Karachi and said they recovered 1,000 detonators and other bomb-making materials. The detained individuals said they had brought the materials from Peshawar.
SPOTLIGHT INSIGHT
By Hasan Ali - The Nation
Two years after the US announced its withdrawal from Afghanistan, a Nation reporter speaks to Taliban spokesman Mufti Abdul Matin Qani about the government’s policies.
AFGHAN NEWS
IEA: Security forces have targeted a Daesh hideout in Kabul
By Ariana News
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said security forces targeted a Daesh hideout in Kart-e Now area…
Identities of 116 Afghans killed in Turkey Earthquake Confirmed: Embassy
By Nasir Ahmad Salehi - TOLO News
"Many Afghans suffered and died. We have 74 victims in Hatay Province, 34 in Adyaman Province, and 8 in Malatya Province,” said Musadiq Faqiri, a counselor for the Afghan…
Panjshir residents irked by Taliban’s ‘unfair treatment’
By AMU TV
Their treatment towards the people in Panjshir hasn’t changed over the past 18 months of their rule in Afghanistan, a tribal elder from Onaba district…
Who is General Dostum? The Uzbek strongman who has declared war on Taliban
By WION News
ormer Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan Army Kills Seven Terrorists in North Waziristan
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
According to a police spokesperson, the incident occurred when the counterterrorism department transported criminals from Miran Shah to…
Afghans may bring down the Taliban, says Russian president’s special envoy for Afghanistan
By Asia-Plus
“…at this particular time, we are really concerned about the socio-economic situation [in Afghanistan], which will easily be combined with other…
Afghan helicopters abroad won’t be given to IEA opponents: Mujahid
By Ariana News
The Islamic Emirate says helicopters flown to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan after the collapse of the former government will never fall into the hands of the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
CPJ calls on Taliban to stop censoring news outlets in Afghanistan
By AMU TV
In a statement issued by the CPJ, it was noted that the websites of both outlets are inaccessible on three of Afghanistan’s privately owned telecommunications providers – Afghan Wireless, Roshan, and…
THE DAILY WTF
Kabul florists heartbroken over Taliban Valentine's Day ban
By RFI
Florists with wilting bouquets of red roses and street vendors clutching unsold balloons were heartbroken in the Afghan capital on Tuesday after the Taliban's morality police banned Valentine's Day…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.40 AFN (as of 15 FEB 2023)