LAST 24 HOURS
TORKHAM REMAINED CLOSED FOR 5TH DAY – Trade groups from both countries expressed frustration over the continued closure of the commercial crossing. Talks reportedly continued on Sunday but Pakistan has dug its heels in over a call on Kabul to tackle the TTP terror problem. The Taliban continue to claim the TTP does not operate from within Afghanistan. Traders estimate that at least $1M has been lost due to the closure. Some in Kabul have speculated that an agreement to reopen the gate could be announced today.
SECOND MAJOR ENGAGEMENT IN CHITRAL REPORTED – Possibly lending credence to TTP claims that it had occupied select population centers in the disputed area, Pakistani military personnel claim to have engaged TTP forces in the Ursoon area. 6 TTP fighters were reportedly killed and 6 others were wounded in the clashes. A source in Rawalpindi said that Pakistan has dispatched several hundred reinforcements to the area and is working to target remnants of the large TTP force that initiated the incursion last Wednesday. The area is considered extremely dangerous to travelers and Pakistani military and police were turning vehicles back along the main roadways leading into Ursoon and Chitral.
TTP LEADERS FEAR A BETRAYAL BY KABUL/KANDAHAR – A source in Khost said that a recent meeting occurred in Paktia Province of senior TTP leaders and that the discussions were focused on possible courses of action the terror group could take should Kabul launch counter-terrorism operations against their members in Eastern Afghanistan. One of the senior leaders, referred to as ‘Commander Green’, complained that the TTP should never have allowed some of its members to be resettled to Balkh and other Northern Provinces from their strongholds along the Durand Line. ‘Commander Green’ also complained that the line of communications to Haqqani (presumably, the Minister of the Interior) had been compromised and that Pakistani intelligence services were eavesdropping on conversations. The source said that the recent actions in Chitral appear to have been an attempt to establish a new base of operations on the Pakistani side of the border and take pressure off Kabul. However, they did not expect such a strong response from the Pakistani military. Apparently, local leaders and communities were not as welcoming as TTP leaders had hoped. This information has not been confirmed.
NEXT 24 HOURS
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN KARACHI PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE TERRORIST THREATS – Police in Karachi are warning Christian churches and facilities of potential terror threats. Police officials visited several of the facilities and compiled a list of recommendations that Christian leaders should take to safeguard their property and personnel. It was not immediately clear if the warnings were related to an immediate threat or, were simply proactive precautions in the wake of the riots that took place recently in other parts of the country. Regardless of the motives, the Police in Karachi appear to be taking threats to Christian minorities seriously. At-risk Afghans in Karachi would be wise to avoid these locations in the near term.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Iran expects to begin receiving some of the $6BN in funds that were unfrozen as a part of a ransom to be paid for freeing Americans detained in the country. The funds will be deposited into banks in Qatar.
Trials began in the case against 3 men charged with planning and carrying out the terror attack in Shiraz last year. The 3 are thought to be members of ISIS and admitted they had been recruited by them online during testimony on Sunday.
Iran’s military leadership said that reports it was sending reinforcements to the Azerbaijani border were false and that both countries enjoy cordial relations.
PAKISTAN
A report commissioned by the Prime Minister has found that petroleum smuggling from Iran to Pakistan accounts for 2.8 billion liters annually and that politicians and government officials are involved. The state petroleum company has been used to transport the illicit fuel.
The government announced a new focus on combatting smuggling of all types and intends to create portals for the public to report on the activity in a nationwide crackdown.
A Christian couple was arrested on Sunday in a case involving complaints of blasphemy in Lahore.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Why an Afghan teenager’s underground book club needs Australia’s help
By Garry Maddox - The Age
Ameena, whose name has been changed because of the danger if she were to be identified, has found a way to study even at the risk of punishment by Taliban hardliners. She and about 25 other teenage girls and young women are members of an underground book club.
AFGHAN NEWS
‘Dreadfully nightmarish’: Life on the run in Afghanistan
By Stephen Dinana - Washington Examiner
“I lost my job, I lost my income and cannot support and feed my family as I did before. My family and my children worry and fear about me because…
Afghanistan is the fastest-growing maker of methamphetamine, U.N. says
By The AP
Afghanistan is the world’s fastest-growing maker of methamphetamine, a report from the United Nations drug agency said…
OCHA reports 100,000 people in Afghanistan deprived of basic health services
By AMU TV
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that an estimated 100,000 individuals in Afghanistan are currently grappling with…
REGIONAL NEWS
Key Pak-Afghan border crossing remains shut for 5th day
By Aamir Latif - Anadolu Agency
Pakistan shut the northwestern Torkham border, one of the two main crossings between the neighboring countries, on Wednesday for travelers and…
Afghan Taliban and Pakistan: From tension to conflict
By Muhammad Amin - Pakistan Today
The tensions and conflicts between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan have a complex history with its roots in the aftermath of the 9/11…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghan MMA fighter beats American opponent
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
Haqparast defeated his American opponent in a thrilling match, winning by a…
Blinken responds to criticism from Gold Star families over 2021 Kabul bombing
By CNN
Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells CNN's Jake Tapper "we will look very hard at everything, every aspect of the decisions" leading up to the 2021 bombing in…
THE DAILY WTF
IEA officials urge Kankor students to stay in Afghanistan
By Ariana News
Abdul Baqi Haqqani, the acting director of the National Examination Authority, said on Sunday that the Islamic Emirate supports the youth…
“...said on Sunday that the Islamic Emirate supports the MALE youth…” Fixed it for ya! - TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 79.88 AFN (as of 11 SEP 2023)