Daily Evacuation Brief | November 8, 2023

Nov 08, 2023

PAKISTAN FINDS US-MADE WEAPONS USED BY TERRORISTS IN AIR BASE ATTACK – A security review of the arsenal terrorists used to attack the Mianwali Air Base recently were manufactured in the US and presumably originated from Afghanistan. The weapons retrieved from terrorists killed in the attack included both M4 and M16 rifles as well as their accompanying magazines and ammunition. While the revelations are not new, terrorists who attacked the Zhob Cantonment in July also carried such weapons, they add credence to Pakistan’s claims that Afghanistan represents a significant threat to Pakistan’s security. Sources have documented the sale of US-made weapons to groups like the TTP and ETIM in Afghanistan and the evidence suggests the equipment commands premium pricing due to the perceived reliability of the equipment. A source in Kandahar previously stated that Taliban authorities were aware of the arms trafficking and repeatedly attempted to dissuade groups operating in Pakistan from using the US-made equipment over fears it would implicate Kabul. However, there are not many controls on the weapons trade, and many of the weapons available in markets today were ‘liberated’ after the collapse of the Republic and rapidly turned up in India, Syria, and other locations. While Pakistan has done a poor job of making a public case against the Taliban regime’s lax attitude regarding the TTP, hard evidence such as the confiscation of these weapons illustrates the challenges Islamabad faces.
NADRA BEGAN REGISTRATION OF DEPORTED AFGHANS ON MONDAY – Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) positioned 20 mobile vans in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday and deployed 140 personnel to begin processing the registration of undocumented Afghans prior to their expulsion to Afghanistan. NADRA officials say they have the capacity to process 15,000 registrations each twenty-four-hour period and the personnel deployed to the area are working in shifts to handle the load.
SEVERAL PAKISTANI OFFICIALS ARRESTED FOR PROVIDING PAKISTANI CITIZENSHIP CARDS TO AFGHANS IN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION – Islamabad pledged to aggressively prosecute those involved in the sale of Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) to Afghan refugees. The cards can be used to access Pakistan’s state-sponsored welfare programs and have been used to gain Pakistani passports. On Monday, officials in Kohat announced they had arrested a criminal gang who had been selling the documents to Afghans. Among those arrested were a town council secretary and a NADRA employee. Police say the group kept records of all those who had purchased CNICs and they were going through the data to determine who may be residing in the country illegally.
HERAT-GHOR HIGHWAY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING – A section of the road was washed out during recent storms in the Shahrak District. The floodwaters are expected to recede soon but repairs may take several days and the roadway is considered impassable at the moment.

NEXT 24 HOURS

PAKISTAN DEPORTATION OPERATIONS TO CONTINUE - NO CHANGE TO THREAT LEVEL

REGIONAL ROUNDUP

IRAN

Iran reformed its military pay system to factor in costs associated with inflation and to observe a law that mandates soldier’s compensation be within acceptable ranges. The minimum wage in Iran is ~$150 per month and soldiers will now be paid between $60.00 - $180.00 per month.
Iran’s call among OPEC countries to institute an embargo against all countries supporting Israel has largely been seen as symbolic but financial analysts in commodities markets are nervous it could be a reality should the conflict continue.
Leaders of Iraq and Iran make a joint call for cessation of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

PAKISTAN

The European Union announced it will release 61 million euros to assist Afghan refugees in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Analysts say that fully 20% of all trade in Pakistan is illicit in nature and that significant revenue is being lost to smuggling and fraud.
Police discovered a bomb near the Adiala Jail in Islamabad and called in a disposal squad to detonate the device. The bomb was found less than a kilometer from the jail where the Cypher Case hearing of former PM Khan was taking place. It is not clear who may have planted the device.

SPOTLIGHT OPINION

The West Can Support the People of Afghanistan via Central Asia

By Andrew Gilmour - The Diplomat

Last month, not long before the cruel Afghan winter months began to set in, Afghanistan was hit by the deadliest series of earthquakes in years, claiming the lives of over 2,000 people and adding another burden on a country where a staggering 85 percent of the population lives in poverty. The European Union and United Nations jumped in quickly to promise humanitarian aid for the victims of the earthquakes, but the country is in dire need of longer-term help.

AFGHAN NEWS

Returned refugees narrate ordeal of ill-treatment from Afghan Taliban

By Samaa

After the deadline for illegal Afghan refugees to leave Pakistan expired, the process of their repatriation has been going on since…

Women's Chamber of Commerce And Industry Planning Exhibition

By Hadia Ziaei - TOLO News

“We want to support mothers first so that their children can benefit from the support, and when the mother can find her support in society, then she can present her children to…

UNHCR warns of ‘grave hardship, risks’ for Afghan returnees

By AMU TV

Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), raised concerns about the dire circumstances faced by a large number of Afghans who have been compelled to leave…

REGIONAL NEWS

Probe reveals US-made weapons used in Mianwali PAF base terror attack

By Mateen Haider - The Nation

The security agencies of Pakistan, investigating the foiled terrorist attack on the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base Mianwali, have found that the weapons used by…