Daily Evacuation Brief | January 1, 2023

Jan 01, 2024

PAKISTAN SECURITY FORCES INTERCEPT INFILTRATORS ALONG AFGHAN BORDER – Yesterday, Pakistani security forces in the Bajaur District to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa intercepted 3 terrorists who had crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan. A Pakistani military spokesman said the three men had come under surveillance as they approached the border and were intercepted shortly after crossing over the demarcation line. After a firefight, security personnel were able to recover weapons (some of US manufacture), ammunition, and explosives. It was not immediately clear which group the 3 men were tied to and their identities/nationalities have yet to be released. A recent report by the Pakistan-based Center for Research and Security Studies estimated that approximately 1,000 Pakistani citizens were killed by terror attacks in 2023. The number is the highest in the past six years and civilians accounted for half of all deaths.
TALIBAN DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS HIS UNITS HAVE KILLED DOZENS OF TAJIK AND PAKISTANI CITIZENS OVER PAST 12 MONTHS – Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob reported the figures yesterday during a press conference in Kabul. He added that hundreds of other foreigners had been arrested for suspected involvement in anti-state activity. Yaqoob concluded by pointing out a noticeable decrease in ISIS-K terror operations in the country throughout 2023.
FIVE AFGHAN REFUGEES FOUND DEAD IN EUROPE – Belarussian officials said they had discovered 5 bodies who were later determined to be Afghan refugees along its border with Poland on Sunday. The security officials did not comment on what may have led to their deaths and the identities of the deceased were not provided. The bodies have been taken to a nearby hospital by Belarus officials and an investigation has reportedly begun.

NEXT 24 HOURS

TERROR GROUPS MAY LAUNCH ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN, IRAN, AND AFGHANISTAN – Security officials in both Pakistan and Iran have warned their subordinates to remain watchful today as symbolic attacks by various terrorist organizations could be forthcoming. While authorities in Kabul have not provided a similar warning to their personnel, it is possible that attacks could take place there as well.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

A Spanish tourist who has been held for over a year was released. The man was detained during the mass protests in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death and was traveling by foot to the World Cup in Qatar when he was arrested.
Presumed Israeli air strikes reportedly killed 23 pro-Iran militants in Eastern Syria yesterday.
Ongoing strikes by both steel and gold workers have entered their sixth day in Iran and other groups say they are considering joining the protests soon.

PAKISTAN

Customers are complaining of ‘hidden taxes and fees’ in their most recent electric bills. Consumer advocacy groups say that analysis shows consumers face up to eight different taxes on their bills.
Even though New Year’s celebrations were banned by the government to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, some citizens chose to ignore the ban and chose to fire their weapons in the air. As a result, at least 11 people were injured by bullets in Karachi alone.
2 children were reportedly killed when unknown assailants tossed a hand grenade into the main bazaar in Mach on Saturday evening. Police said they did not currently have any leads in the resulting investigation and are asking for the public’s help to find the criminals.

SPOTLIGHT REFUGEES

The displaced Afghans making gruelling journeys to survive

By Al Jazeera

More than 40 years of war, violence and poverty have created one of the world’s most uprooted populations. (PHOTO ESSAY)

AFGHAN NEWS

Smoke billows from a guesthouse after an attack in Kabul in December 2022.

Taliban Blames Tajiks, Pakistanis For Attacks Inside Afghanistan

By RFE

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government on December 31 claimed that Tajik and Pakistani nationals have been responsible for most of the attacks inside…

Political Ups and Downs of Afghanistan in 2023

By TOLO News

In 2023, although the Islamic Emirate has political and economic interactions with several countries and the officials of the caretaker government have had…

Female Medical students in Afghanistan continue studies secretly: Al Jazeera

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

The Al Jazeera report published on December 30th states that over 3,000 women who graduated before the education ban have been denied…

Review of Afghan Human Rights in 2023

By TOLO News

Compliance with human rights especially women’s rights and the girls going to school and universities, is the issue that the world says is a…

REGIONAL NEWS

Two Afghan citizens secretly executed in Iran

By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press

According to the organization, “These two Afghan citizens were transferred to solitary confinement on Thursday, along with Akbar Nehmati, who had previously been convicted of…