LAST 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN GRAPPLES WITH MAJOR TERRORIST ATTACKS – The twin suicide bombings yesterday in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appear to have killed over 50 people who were celebrating the birthday of the prophet. The first suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle that was stationed near a Mosque in the Mastung District. People were gathering for a procession to mark the holy day. The second blast is thought to have taken place inside a Mosque in Hangu and the roof is said to have collapsed as a result of the detonation. At least two people were killed in the second attack. Police had been warned of possible attacks but protecting so many celebrations was virtually impossible. The TTP was quick to issue a denial of its involvement in the attacks and as of publication, no group had claimed credit for either bombing. Analysts strongly suspect that one or both attacks were orchestrated by ISIS-K or possibly Baloch nationalists. However, late-breaking news out of India suggested a possible link to the Indian Intelligence services (RAW). A Twitter account that has long been associated with RAW issued some bizarre tweets that seemed to say the bombings were some type of retribution for the killing of an Indian Detective Superintendant in the Uri area on 16 September. Obviously, any Indian involvement could easily escalate tensions between both countries.
TTP INFILTRATORS REPORTEDLY THWARTED IN ATTEMPT TO ENTER PAKISTAN – In a separate incident, Pakistani military forces engaged TTP militants attempting to cross the border near Sambaza. In the ensuing firefight, 3 TTP militants were reportedly killed and several others were wounded. 4 Pakistani soldiers were also killed in the melee. A source in Rawalpindi said Pakistani military leaders believe the TTP may be attempting to move a large number of forces into the country with instructions to assemble sometime in October to engage directly with the Army. It was not clear if yesterday’s incursion was related to recent reports of a large-scale offensive planned by the TTP in Pakistan proper.
RUSSIA REPORTEDLY GIVES A COLD RECEPTION TO THE TALIBAN AT THE MOSCOW FORMAT MEETING – According to sources present at the summit, the Russian delegation was in no mood for pleasantries and announced several blunt criticisms of the Taliban that will likely rankle Kandahar and Kabul. The Russians were concerned that a civil war was coming due to the Pashtun dominance of the government. Russia said it did not believe that peace could be sustained until a truly representative government was formed. Until the Taliban agree to an inclusive power-sharing agreement, Russia will not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate leaders of the country. It was not clear if China or other countries present had also taken a hard line with the Taliban.
NEXT 24 HOURS
NO THREATS REPORTED
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Prisoners serving sentences at a prison in Khuzestan Province rioted and reportedly set fire to buildings to protest a death sentence handed down to a popular inmate. Gunfire was heard from outside the prison and there are fears of many casualties.
After the prison riot was reported in local media outlets, protests erupted in Sistan-Baluchestan Province as demonstrators clashed with government forces. 23 people have reportedly been injurred in the clashes.
Iran announced another operation that supposedly disrupted a large terror operation in the country. The Minister of Intelligence claimed the operation foiled ‘many’ planned assassinations of Imams and IRGC leaders. Few in the international community give credence to the spate of intelligence ‘successes’ claimed by the regime.
PAKISTAN
The caretaker regime is currently discussing an $11bn aid package with both Saudi Arabia and China. The additional $11bn is being sought to pay financial obligations and to secure an additional tranche of financing from the IMF ($700m).
4 of the 6 teenage footballers who had been abducted in Balochistan on 9 September were freed during a joint police/militia operation in the Dera Bugti District. Police are continuing the search for the remaining two abductees.
The interim PM said that his government would not be able to intervene should former PM Khan be barred from running in the upcoming elections. He emphasized that such decisions will rest with the courts and will not be subject to executive intervention.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Myths and Realities of ‘Gender Apartheid’ in Afghanistan Under the Taliban
By Shanthie Mariet D’Souza - The Diplomat
The dire state of girls and women in Afghanistan under the Taliban, a tragedy that has featured frequently in international media reports in the last two years, came up for discussion in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on September 27. The UNSC convened for an open briefing, followed by consultations focusing on the severe restrictions imposed on the rights of women and girls in the country. It concluded with 11 countries referring to the treatment of Afghan women as gender-based violence and calling for recognition of a gender apartheid under international law.
AFGHAN NEWS
No current talks with Taliban, Afghanistan's Massoud says, promising guerrilla warfare
By The Strajts Times
There are no talks with the Taliban to negotiate a peace settlement, Afghan anti-Taliban leader Ahmad Massoud said on Thursday, vowing to step up…
Sirajuddin Haqqani in Panjshir Stresses Trust-Building
By Shamsurrahman Khpalwak - TOLO News
“Such meetings will be normal among us so I will feel he is my brother. Then the challenges and problems which exist among us, will solve themselves,”...
In Their Own Words: Civil Society’s Fight to Deny Taliban Legitimacy in Afghanistan
By The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change
The Taliban’s illegitimate and violent assumption of power has created a hostile environment for women and girls, human-rights activists…
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan Is Planning To Deport Over 1 Million Illegal Afghan Refugees
By RFE
The caretaker cabinet in Pakistan on September 26 has given authorities the go-ahead to deport foreign nationals residing illegally in the…
By Claire Gilbody-Dickerson - iNews UK
At least 52 people were killed and more than 50 injured in a suicide attack on a religious gathering in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, in what officials branded a…
TTP attack from Afghanistan thwarted, 4 soldiers martyred: ISPR
By Faizan Ali - Samaa
The ISPR in a statement issued said that security forces thwarted an attempt of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists to infiltrate from Afghanistan into…
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan’s Peace Requires Full Ethnic Representation in the Government: Russia
By Fidel Rahmati - Khaama Press
During the Moscow Format meeting, the Special Representative of Russia for Afghanistan, quoting his country’s Foreign Minister, stated that without the involvement of ethnic groups in the government, peace is…
UK shame as Pakistani police storm hotel and arrest Afghans promised sanctuary in Britain
By Holly Bancroft - The Independent
Afghans promised safe haven in Britain but trapped in Pakistan have been arrested by police amid fears refugees could be returned to the Taliban,The Independent can…
THE DAILY WTF
10 Religious Figures Appointed to Monitor Gold Mines
By Habib Rahman Qooyash - TOLO News
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said that it has appointed 10 Ulema and Hafiz (Quran memorizers) to monitor the extraction of…
“We don’t know if this is a good or bad thing. Maybe the use of religious figures will cut down on the corruption.” TAD Staff
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 78.02 AFN (as of 30 SEP 2023)