LAST 24 HOURS:
Multiple reports have been received regarding hundreds of Pakistani Pashtun recruits being stationed in Mazar-i-Sharif. Taliban sources claim the Pakistani recruits are expected to bolster Afghan Taliban units in preparation for combat with Northern opposition groups, and the moves are being orchestrated by the Ministry of the Interior. Hundreds of recruits have departed Kabul over the last week before taking commercial buses from Kaldar to Mazar-i-Sharif. It is not clear where they are being garrisoned in Mazar, but they are not being seen on the streets.
Sources in Pakistan claim former President Ashraf Ghani asked for a meeting with the ISI, the Pakistani intelligence service, to gauge support for his return to Afghanistan. Reputedly, his goal is to act as an advisor to the Taliban, and he had an intermediary, Heshmet Ghani, request the ISI convey his offer to the Taliban. No further information is available currently.
The bombings of the power relay stations in Parwan has left millions without power. Two suspects have been taken into custody. ISIS-K took credit for a similar attack last year during Ramadan, but have not claimed this years attacks.
Another bomb was used to attack commuters on a bus in a predominantly Hazara neighborhood in West Kabul. The incident took place near the Dehburi intersection in Police District 3. 1 man was killed, and 3 others were severely injured. Although ISIS-K is presumed to be behind the attack, they have yet to claim responsibility for it.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
Travel and daily commutes are expected to be difficult with the heightened security posture ordered over the last 24 hours. Many have reported harassment by Taliban guards manning the checkpoints. Some sources have reported overhearing concerns from the guards that they have no contact with their respective headquarters.
Limited power may return to parts of Kabul within the next 24 hours, but resumption of service to other cities and towns is expected to take weeks. The price of fuel is expected to jump as people turn to generators in their homes. At-risk Afghans are advised to purchase fuel earlier rather than later and to avoid filling up during busy times of the day in order to avoid attacks.
ANALYSIS SPOTLIGHT:
Islamic State in Afghanistan Looks to Recruit Regional Tajiks, Inflict Violence Against Tajikistan
Shortly after the Islamic State Khorasan Province’s (ISKP) first reported attack targeting Uzbek territory on April 18, one Tajik-speaking supporter on Telegram, feeling particularly inspired, urged similar operations against Tajikistan. Likewise, the official ISKP branch media outlet al-Azaim released an Uzbek-language audio statement celebrating the act, declaring it the opening salvo in the “great jihad to Central Asia.”
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 85.96 AFN (as of 1 MAY 2022)
AFGHAN NEWS
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THE DAILY WTF
Return home and reconcile as Islamic teachings require
By The Kabul Times
So, the arm of the Islamic Emirate is open for any Afghan returning home. Any Afghans who have left the country, following the recent immediate political changes, can avail the opportunity to return home, join…