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.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran backtracked on statements suggesting it would enter into a joint program with Russia to manufacture drones inside Russia. The move is being seen as ‘damage control’ for a recent round of sanctions that specifically target 7 Iranian entities involved with their drone program.
The regime unveiled an underground air base dubbed “Eagle 44” on Tuesday and said it was capable of housing both fighter aircraft and drones. Defense analysts were underwhelmed as the Iranian Air Force has been particularly hard hit by sanctions over the years.
PAKISTAN
Citizens are dreading an increase in fuel prices as subsidies will expire in accordance with the IMF goals. Some protests could occur when the new prices take effect.
The former leader of Pakistan was laid to rest in Karachi.
A bus plunged off a ravine and there are reports of many killed in the accident.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
By Ali M. Latifi - Wired
Najib, 23, is a bona fide celebrity among young, urban Afghans. A former TV presenter and producer, for the past four years he’s made his living on TikTok, posting comic skits to his 413,000 followers. The Kabul he shows is a world away from the one commonly seen on Western media and features upmarket malls, historic sites surrounded by fields of snow, and cooking sessions with local chefs.
AFGHAN NEWS
Women in Afghanistan find ways to make their voices heard under Taliban oppression
By Geoff Bennett & Zeba Warsi - PBS
We’ve been speaking to young girls whose dreams have been stifled and women protesters who have been standing up…
Peshawar Bombing Planned In Afghanistan, Foreign Intelligence Agency Funded It, Say Investigators
By Outlook
The suicide bombing in Pakistan's Peshawar was planned in Afghanistan and the terror plot was funded by a…
REGIONAL NEWS
Dollars Smuggled From Pakistan Provide Lifeline for the Taliban
By Eltaf Najafizada & Ismail Dilawar - BNN Bloomberg
Millions of dollars are being smuggled into Afghanistan from Pakistan every day, providing some support for the…
Pakistan releases another 40 Afghan prisoners
By Ariana News
A further 160 Afghans are also expected to be released from Pakistan’s Landi and Peche prisons in the next few days, the…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Trump's last defense secretary says no one held 'accountable' for Afghanistan and Iraq wars
By Mike Brest - Washington Examiner
"We lost the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and no one's been held accountable," he told the…
Iran’s top security official leaves for Russia to attend Afghanistan meeting
By Ariana News
The Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani has left the country for Russia to attend a…
Mehrabi Urges Central Bank to Defend $3.5B Afghan Assets in US Court
By Bibi Amina Hakimi - TOLO News
A member of the Afghan Central Bank's supreme council, Shah Mehrabi, urged the Central Bank to engage with legal counsel to…
THE DAILY WTF
When the Taliban ask for your hand in marriage
By Marjan Sadat - Toronto Star
A 40-year-old local Taliban official, a relative of her mother’s, proposed to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 90.15 AFN (as of 8 FEB 2023)