LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN AIR STRIKES IN DISPUTE – The Ministry of Defense in Pakistan denied claims that its forces had launched air strikes against targets in Pakistan on Thursday. Several reports of planes dropping ordinances on locations in Nangarhar and Khost were circulated on Thursday and a Pakistan news outlet claimed an exclusive access report that confirmed the Nangarhar strikes took place. However, Pakistan government officials criticized the reports as ‘nonsense’ and claimed the attacks had not occurred. As no evidence of damage in Afghanistan has yet been produced, we can only assume the Pakistani authorities are telling the truth. As information becomes available, we will publish it.
MAGNITUDE 5.8 EARTHQUAKE STRIKES HINDU KUSH REGION – The powerful quake struck in the mountainous region of the Hindu Kush and the tremors were felt in both Kabul and Islamabad. There have been no reports of casualties or damage, likely owing to the remoteness of the epicenter.
CONFUSION OVER BORDER INCIDENT AT TORKHAM – An additional early report of a potential clash between Taliban and Pakistan border security forces now appears to have been an inter-Taliban affair, resulting from an accidental shooting. Details are not clear but Torkham Gate remains open and we are awaiting further information.
AFGHAN NATIONAL MURDERED IN PAKISTAN – The Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad confirmed that an Afghan man was brutally murdered in Depalpur (Punjab Province) on Wednesday. The details surrounding the man’s murder were not provided but the Embassy said it had contacted the man’s family and was arranging transport of his remains to his family in Afghanistan. The Embassy said the incident was the first in many years.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE ISIS-K CLEARING OPERATION IN HERAT – After a round of successful counter-terror operations in the country, a source working with the GDI (Taliban Intelligence Service) says another operation is expected in Herat. No details about the target were provided but the action is said to be imminent. At-risk Afghans in Herat should remain situationally aware and avoid concentrations of troops in the city.
THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL WILL MEET TODAY TO DISCUSS THE BAN ON FEMALE NGO WORKERS – It is not clear what may result from the meetings but the US and European allies have signaled they were ready to hold the Taliban accountable for the regressive policies by the Taliban.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
The regime forced the French Institute to close its doors in response to the caricatures of the supreme leader in a French magazine.
The IRGC has asked several Imams in some areas of the country to cancel Friday prayers in fear there will be fresh protests.
Tehran is being accused of setting up a meeting between the Taliban and the leader of Turkish Al-Qaeda forces in Istanbul this past November. Turkish authorities have yet to respond to the allegations.
PAKISTAN
The Interior Minister quashed suggestions of negotiating with terrorist groups in the country.
Multiple counter-terrorism security operations have been reported in Pakistan over the last twenty-four hours. They are expected to continue for some time.
The political party of former PM Khan has said it plans to go ahead with the resignations of MPs in Punjab.
SPOTLIGHT PERSPECTIVE
The Afghan Commander Who Was Left Behind
By Lynzy Billing - Vice
“I have been fighting for 19 years to keep the Taliban out and I have lost many men. Now, all the blood and fighting has been for no result.”
AFGHAN NEWS
No airstrikes carried out in Afghanistan: Pakistan
By Pajhwok Afghan News
Pakistan has rejected media report regarding airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on Tahreek Taliban…
Taliban: Anti-Terror Raids Kill 11 Islamic State Group Militants
By Ayaz Gul - VOA
Afghanistan’s Taliban said Thursday their special forces had killed 11 Islamic State group operatives and captured seven others in…
Ministry-based former army general killed in Taliban custody
By AMU TV
General Mohammad Ibrahim Jihadyar, who was the former defense ministry’s deputy head of personnel, was killed in Taliban custody, his family and relatives said on…
REGIONAL NEWS
Will Pakistan Strike Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan?
By Akmal Dawi - VOA
As Islamabad increasingly voices concern about the alleged sheltering of a Pakistani insurgent group in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, there is…
Fresh border clashes between Pakistan, Afghanistan's Taliban
By MEHR News Agency
Local sources from Torkham crossing say that the clash between the Pakistani military and Taliban forces took place at 11:00 pm…
25 police checkpoints set up in Islamabad as part of ‘special’ security plan
By Dawn
In light of growing security concerns, Islamabad police issued on Tuesday a “special” plan that introduces 25…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Britain's Prince Harry says he killed 25 people in Afghanistan
By RTE
The 38-year-old served two tours of duty against the Taliban, first as a forward air controller calling in airstrikes in…
Cash Transfers to Afghanistan Are Funding Taliban Torture, Resistance Commander Warns
By Dovid Efune & Benny Avni - The New York Sun
President Biden’s hasty surrender of Afghanistan and the swift Taliban takeover have placed Washington in…
THE DAILY WTF
Government contractor pleads guilty to bribery, visa fraud committed while in Afghanistan
By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times
A Georgia man pleaded guilty to taking bribes as a government contractor in Afghanistan, after which he funneled reconstruction contracts to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 89.13 AFN (as of 6 JAN 2023)