LAST 24 HOURS
TALIBAN INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT REPORTEDLY HACKED – According to several online anti-Taliban outlets, the General Directorate of Intelligence in the Ministry of the Interior has been hacked and a steady stream of documents is already being leaked online. One of the outlets on X (formerly Twitter), called @TalibLeaks began releasing some of the official-looking correspondence between Taliban agencies yesterday. The group says they have hundreds of communication documents and plans to begin circulating them on Telegram soon. A source in Kabul says the hack was extensive and the Minister for the Interior has directed the GDI to use ‘misinformation’ to attempt to control the damage that may be coming. The source said that some of the leaks include documents in both Pashto and Chinese that detail security discussions between Chinese advisors and the Ministry of the Interior. It is thought that these documents could be embarrassing to China. Some of the leaked documents put on display show a heavy reliance on written communication by GDI agents and there is speculation that the agency lacks personnel who are familiar with technology.
FORMER AFGHAN ARMY SPECIAL FORCES REPUTEDLY READY TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE FRONT – A video circulating on social media that has been attributed to the leadership of the remaining elements of the Afghan Special Forces under the Republic states that remnants of the organization have joined the NRF and will operate in Kandahar, Helmand, Ghazni, and Maidan Wardak. Estimates of the troop strength available in the country vary widely from a few hundred to well over one thousand. If this information is true, it represents a definite increase in the capabilities available to the NRF and likely a morale boost as well.
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED YOUTH PROGRAM WILL ONLY FOCUS ON MALES – A new program that is being bandied about by the Ministry of Information and Culture promises to ‘reform’ how the youth of Afghanistan can negotiate the difficult economic situation in the country. However, a source in Kabul says the program will only be offered to males and will primarily focus on orienting youth to approach their professional careers with an ‘Islamic mindset’. The man in charge of the program, Deputy Minister of Youth Mohammad Yunus Rashed reportedly has no record of academic or business experience. The source said the program is akin to the ‘religious training’ provided to Taliban military recruits which consumes roughly 80% of a Taliban recruit's basic training. Rashed has caged the program as a means of repairing the damage done to Afghanistan’s youth during the 19-year occupation by foreign troops.
NEXT 24 HOURS
POSSIBLE TROUBLE BREWING IN BAMYAN – Several reports have surfaced that indicate the ‘nomads’ who have been resettled in the Province have continued to threaten the Hazara population and recently cut down several trees near a school in the Vers District and then threatened Hazara leaders who attempted to intervene with threats of violence. Previous clashes have been reported between Hazara communities and Kuchi tribesmen since mid-2022. The Taliban have intermittently intervened on both sides of these disputes and have sometimes found themselves being threatened by one side or the other. While no direct threat has been received in Bamyan, recent history dictates taking a cautious approach and at-risk Afghans residing in the District should take care to avoid potential hotspots between these groups.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
A US Defense Department report recently released stated that Iran is not pursuing a nuclear program but has the ability to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon in a matter of weeks.
A female journalist for Shargh Daily, Maryam Lotfi, was arrested while investigating a case about a young girl who was reportedly pushed off a station platform by police for not wearing a Hijab in Tehran’s metro. Lotfi was reportedly released yesterday evening.
A Saudi Arabian football team refused to take the field for a match against Iran’s Sepahan after a statue of slain IRGC General, Qassem Soleimani was placed near the entrance to the stadium in Isfahan.
PAKISTAN
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told the Islamabad High Court that an open hearing in the Cipher Case against former PM Khan could damage relations with other countries.
The new head of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) was named by the acting Prime Minister. Lieutenant General Munir Afsar has been appointed to lead the office.
The acting Interior Minister admitted that some members of the security services were involved in smuggling operations and that the regime was instituting several new controls to halt the activity.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Even Before the Latest Bombing, Mastung Was a Hotbed for Violent Insurgency
By Kiyya Baloch - The Diplomat
On Friday, a suicide bomber struck a gathering of approximately 500 people in southwestern Pakistan, killing 52 and injuring nearly 70 others. While no group has claimed responsibility for this attack, it is feared that the local branch of Islamic State, based in Afghanistan, may be responsible.
AFGHAN NEWS
Muttaqi Denies Claims of Kabul Supplying Weapons to TTP
By Nazir Shinwari - TOLO News
The acting Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, rejected claims that the Islamic Emirate is supporting the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and…
Taliban’s Muttaqi downplays global calls for inclusive government in Afghanistan
By Milad Sayar - AMU TV
Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting foreign minister of the Taliban, downplayed the international community’s demand for an inclusive government in Afghanistan, describing it as a “vague request”...
Islamic Emirate Forms New Reform Plan for Youth: Rashed
By Naweed Samadi - TOLO News
The Ministry of Information and Culture (MoIC) said that it had prepared a “scheme for the intellectual and economic reform of youth,” and its…
REGIONAL NEWS
By Nadir Ali - Pakistan Today
Since the abrupt Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, Pakistan has served as a safe haven for Afghan citizens who have been forced to flee their…
Afghan govt should be held accountable for its promises: Iran’s envoy
By Ariana News
Iran’s special envoy for Afghanistan Hassan Kazemi Qomi says Moscow format meeting was held at a time when Afghanistan is still an important issue in…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
New reception rules for Afghans in Brazil viewed with caution
By Letycia Bond - Agencia Brasil
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Relations have decided to make the granting of temporary visas to Afghans conditional on…
Amnesty urges France to ease visas for Afghan women and girls
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
So far, more than 4,500 people have requested France to grant Afghan women and girls the opportunity to come to this country by…
THE DAILY WTF
Watchdog: Biden stability effort harmed Afghanistan evacuation efforts
By Laura Kelly - The Hill
The Biden administration’s focus on projecting stability in Afghanistan amid the Taliban’s lightning takeover harmed efforts by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to prepare for…
Qomi: 'Supporting Daesh is One of Washington's Priorities'
By TOLO News
Qomi stated that although the US has withdrawn from Afghanistan, supporting Daesh is one of Washington's…
“Ignoramus.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 77.96 AFN (as of 3 OCT 2023)