Daily Evacuation Brief | September 7, 2023
LAST 24 HOURS
TORKHAM BORDER CLASHES, CROSSING CLOSED – Early reports suggest an exchange of fire took place between Taliban and Pakistani border security personnel on Wednesday. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Pakistan may have initiated the firing when Taliban border guards attempted to erect a checkpoint in the demarcation zone. As of publication, the gate remains closed and shops on both sides of the border were shuttered. There were no officially reported casualties. Local eyewitnesses say that both sides were negotiating to reopen the border. Pakistan is said to have sent reinforcements to the border crossing as an additional security measure.
TTP LAUNCHES LARGE ATTACK IN CHITRAL – A spokesman for the Pakistani military said that two of its security outposts in the Kalash Valley had been attacked by a large force of TTP militants. The spokesman confirmed that 4 Pakistani soldiers had been killed and that 12 TTP fighters also lost their lives in the action. Of note, the spokesman claimed that Pakistan had conducted surveillance of the forces as they moved from Afghanistan to aggress the Pakistani bases. For its part, the TTP claimed to have inflicted ‘heavy casualties’ on the Pakistani military and also claimed to have captured the outposts during the attack. Several rumors have circulated online that the TTP had occupied several villages and towns in the area and that they had taken approximately 100 prisoners during the melee. However, no evidence has yet been provided to confirm this information. Additional clarity will likely be forthcoming over the next twenty-four hours.
TAJIKISTAN BORDER GUARDS KILL 3 INFILTRATORS AT BORDER – A spokesman for the Tajik government said that its border security forces had engaged and killed 3 members of a terrorist group who had infiltrated the country from Afghanistan. The men were killed yesterday but Tajik authorities said they had crossed into Tajikistan on 30 August and were planning a terror attack that would coincide with the September 9th national holiday. It is important to note that the 3 men were identified as Tajik nationals. It was not clear which terrorist organization the 3 may have been a part of.
NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN COULD LAUNCH AIR OR ARTILLERY STRIKES – As many leaders in Pakistan have stated that yesterday’s TTP attack in Chitral likely originated in Afghanistan, it is entirely possible that Pakistan may launch punitive strikes on suspected TTP bases across the border. In the past, such incidences have forced a closure of the entire border and Spin Boldak Gate could be closed (Torkham remains closed due to a separate incident). Pakistani military forces were already repositioning along the border to reinforce outposts and military convoy traffic had reportedly doubled over the last twelve hours. While no definitive information has been received that an impending strike was being planned, we assess there is a reasonable chance it could occur.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Clashes between US-backed militias in Syria have continued for approximately 6 days and threaten to undermine operations against ISIS as well as keeping Iranian-backed militias in check.
Nazila Maroufian, a Kurdish journalist who interviewed the father of Mahsa Amini after her death said that she was sexually assaulted by arresting officers during her latest arrest and had begun a hunger strike while she remains in prison.
Additional firings of university professors were reported in Iran as at least fourteen more professors who were accused of sympathizing with protestors have had their employment terminated.
PAKISTAN
The Sindh Counter Terrorism Department announced it had detained 4 suspects on terrorism charges after an extensive intelligence operation. It was not clear which terrorist organization the four may belong to.
An IED detonated as a truck passed over it in North Waziristan yesterday. The blast killed 1 and 25 others were injured. It was not clear who had placed the IED.
Former PM Khan’s lawyers submitted a report to the Islamabad High Court detailing unsatisfactory conditions in the Attock Jail. Khan’s counsel urged the court to remove him to Adiala Jail, contending the facility provided better living conditions.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Has Afghanistan Turned into a Sanctuary for Jihadist Groups?
By Abdul Basit - The Diplomat
After two years in power, the Taliban have physically established their writ across Afghanistan. Presently, they do not face any existential challenge to their monopoly of power and seem to have been successful in restoring order and bringing down the levels of violence in the country.
AFGHAN NEWS
Taliban hosts US private sector delegation, national investors in Kabul
By AMU TV
A delegation from the private sector in the United States, accompanied by Afghan investors from the United Arab Emirates, held a meeting in Kabul with Taliban officials with…
“Swift Justice” Looks Inside a Sharia Courtroom Documentary Film
By The New Yorker
The documentary offers an unrivalled glimpse into the heart of the Taliban’s Afghanistan, and into the truth that the West has failed to grasp about…
OIC delegation urges Taliban to ensure inclusive education, including girls
By AMU TV
A delegation from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held meetings with the Taliban’s education and higher education ministers in Kabul on…
REGIONAL NEWS
Torkham crossing closed as Afghan and Pakistani forces clash
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
According to the source, the Torkham border crossing has been closed to passengers and vehicles from both Afghanistan and Pakistan following gunfire at…
Pakistan: Clashes Near Afghan Border Kill 4 Soldiers, 12 'Terrorists'
By Ayaz Gul - VOA
Pakistan said Wednesday that a "large group of terrorists" had stormed its security outposts close to the border with Afghanistan, prompting fierce clashes that killed four…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Islamic Emirate Officials Blame Foreign Nations for Violating Human Rights
By Nazim Qasimi - TOLO News
Foreign nations themselves violated human rights many times during the previous Afghan government, the Islamic Emirate…
Turkey Rescues 40 Afghan refugees from drowning
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
The Turkish Coast Guard emphasized that among the 95 rescued refugees, 39 were Afghan and 54 were Iranian…
THE DAILY WTF
Taliban denies Afghanistan’s female athletes’ participation in Asian games
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Ahmadullah Wasiq, Afghanistan’s head of physical education and sport, responded to a September 6 Reuters report in a written statement to RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi that the claim of 17 female athletes on…
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 73.71 AFN (as of 7 SEP 2023)