Daily Evacuation Brief | October 28, 2023
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ABBREVIATED DAILY EVACUATION BRIEF
LAST 24 HOURS
ISIS-K CLAIMS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BOXING CLUB BLAST, DEATH TOLL RISES – ISIS-K announced it had carried out the Thursday bombing in Dasht-e-Barchi that targeted a Shiite boxing club. The terror group said that it used a ‘parcel bomb’ that was placed in one of the rooms by an ISIS-K terrorist. Initial reports said that 2 were killed and 7 others wounded in the blast. Conflicting reports have emerged since but most indicate that 4 were either killed or died of their wounds and that 7 were critically injured. Taliban authorities claim they are investigating the incident.
PAKISTAN’S MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR PROVIDES GUIDANCE TO BORDER CROSSING COMMANDS, PHOTOS TO BE TAKEN – The three main crossings that will be used for the mass deportations (Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Chaman) have been ordered to photograph all Afghans who are returned through their respective gates. Additional guidance such as, how much money Afghans will be allowed to carry with them and what property they may carry has also been addressed. According to Minister Bugti, each Afghan can only carry 50,000 Pakistani Rupees (~$180.00). The edict has been characterized as little more than a ‘state-sponsored theft’ and sets the stage for one of the more egregious ‘crisis-cash grabs’ in modern history. His edict concerning ‘illegal property’ is exceedingly vague and one can only imagine that the border crossings will resemble a flea market shortly after opening. The Minister somehow attempts to gloss over these inhumane policies by saying that the families of the Afghans will be treated with ‘utmost respect’. Several sources in Islamabad say there is concern the operation will turn violent.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran’s Foreign Minister warned the international community that Lebanese and Palestinian militants had their ‘finger on the trigger’ and were prepared to engage Israeli troops in the expected ground offensive.
Iran’s security forces have used the Israel-Hamas conflict as cover and quietly carried out several executions over the past ten days. Worshippers were once again blocked by police when attempting to attend prayers at the Maki Mosque in Zahedan. Several arrests were reported.
Several high-profile artists have criticized the regime’s moves to ban actresses who protested the Hijab laws.
PAKISTAN
Artillery and mortar fire was reportedly exchanged between Pakistan and Indian forces near Jammu. The duel took place throughout the night yesterday and it is not clear how many may have been killed or wounded.
Pakistan International Airlines resumed some flight operations yesterday after a partial payment for fuel was made yesterday. The payment allowed 8 international flights to depart. Customers who have purchased tickets from the embattled carrier have called for a swift resolution to the problem.
Courts granted a request by the Rawalpindi Police to interview former Prime Minister Imran Khan over his role in the 9 May riots.
SPOTLIGHT OPINION
Pakistan’s mass expulsion of Afghans is a historic tragedy
By Johann Chacko - The National News
Sarfraz Bugti, Pakistan’s caretaker Interior Minister, announced at the start of October that the country’s caretaker government would begin the expulsion of 1.7 million unregistered Afghan refugees, with the deadline set for November 1. The deportations have already begun, and on Thursday Pakistani officials announced the establishment of deportation centres to hold any undocumented foreigners who have not left by the deadline. The plan represents the largest forced repatriation since the establishment of the UN’s Refugee Convention in 1951, which was created to prevent actions like these.
AFGHAN NEWS
Islamic State jihadist group claims deadly blast in Kabul
By France 24
The Islamic State jihadist group claimed on its Telegram channel Friday that it was behind a blast at a sports club that killed…
Death toll rises to seven in Kabul boxing club blast, sources confirm
By Bais Hayat - AMU TV
Local sources have confirmed that the number of casualties resulting from the explosion at a Kabul boxing club in the west of the city has climbed…
REGIONAL NEWS
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Concerned as Deportation Deadline Looms
By Muska Safi - VOA
Afghan refugees living in Pakistan say they are concerned about Pakistan’s decision to forcibly deport all undocumented refugees starting…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
How the US invasion of Afghanistan is shaping the Gaza war
By Yonah Jeremy Bob - The Jerusalem Post
In some circles, 9/11 has also become synonymous with US overreach and wasting decades of blood and treasure in forever wars in…
THE DAILY WTF
Woman who translated for US in Afghanistan fights eviction in Fairfax County
By Jackie Bensen - NBC
A woman who aided U.S. forces in Afghanistan and barely escaped with her life as the Taliban overtook the country in 2021 will be in a Fairfax County court Friday to…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.43 AFN (as of 28 OCT 2023)