The Week of October 13-October 19
Security and Conflict
Strikes in Kabul – On Wednesday, multiple explosions rocked Kabul, centered in the Project Taimani and Airport Road areas—specifically a house on Street 5, Project Taimani, and an oil tanker in Charrahi Lab-e-Jar, PD 15. Witnesses reported seeing drones or jets overhead before the blasts, which caused widespread fires and damage to residential areas. Pakistan’s state media later claimed its military had conducted airstrikes on what it described as a “Kharijite insurgent base,” referring to TTP militants, while Taliban officials attributed the explosions to a fuel tanker blast. Emergency Hospital confirmed receiving 40 victims, including five dead and several women and children, with ten in critical condition.
Fighting at Spin Boldak and Chaman Border – On Wednesday, heavy fighting broke out along the Spin Boldak–Chaman border as Taliban and Pakistani forces exchanged small and heavy weapons fire. Pakistani airstrikes hit Taliban positions in Spin Boldak, Shorabak, and the Aino Mina area of Kandahar. Health officials in Kandahar confirmed at least 17 civilian deaths and 346 wounded, including women and children, while Taliban sources cited 12 fatalities. Pakistan’s military said it targeted TTP hideouts and foreign militants, while Taliban officials claimed to have seized several Pakistani border posts. Residents reported mass displacement from Spin Boldak amid ongoing clashes and air raids. Pakistan confirmed conducting airstrikes in several areas of Kandahar.
Strikes in Paktika – Late Friday, Pakistani airstrikes hit Afghanistan’s Paktika province, targeting residential areas and markets in the Urgun and Barmal districts. Multiple explosions were reported, with early accounts indicating civilian casualties, including women and children. Estimates suggest ten people were killed and around 20 injured. Several local cricket players were killed in the attack. The strikes were reportedly carried out by drones, with bombs hitting homes and a local market. The attacks occurred shortly after reports of a ceasefire extension between Kabul and Islamabad.
Strikes During Ceasefire – On Thursday, Pakistani forces bombed civilian homes in Khost’s Maidan Zazi area and conducted airstrikes on the Gulaprai area of Sarkano district in Kunar province early in the morning. Both incidents occurred after the start of the 48-hour ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban. Clashes in Khost lasted about an hour, leaving a local journalist dead.
Fighting in Badakshan – On Monday, at least ten Taliban fighters—including eight from Helmand and Kandahar and two from Badakhshan—were killed in clashes over a gold mine in Yaftal district, Badakhshan. The district’s legal and traffic officials were also among the dead. Fighting broke out after southern Taliban members, allegedly backed by provincial authorities, seized the mine from local fighters. Residents had earlier protested the takeover to Taliban courts. The battle, still ongoing, underscores deepening internal rifts within the Taliban over control of mineral resources in northern Afghanistan. Casualty estimates range from 10 to 15.
Continued Border Clashes – On Tuesday, renewed clashes broke out between Taliban and Pakistani border forces in Kandahar’s Shorabak district, in the Sarlat area, where both sides exchanged heavy and light weapons after Pakistani troops allegedly fired mortars into Afghan territory the previous night. The fighting reportedly continued until early Tuesday morning, with no confirmed casualties. Similar skirmishes were also reported in Nangarhar’s Achin district, where gunfire between Taliban and Pakistani guards was ongoing. On Wednesday, fighting broke out in four districts of Paktika, including the Qamaruddin, Khan Mohammad, and Lari Gate areas of Terwo district.
48 Hour Cease Fire – On Wednesday, a 48-hour ceasefire was announced between the Taliban and Pakistan, set to begin at 6:00 p.m. The announcement came shortly before Pakistan carried out strikes in Kabul. The ceasefire ended on Friday, and shortly after, Pakistan carried out strikes in Paktika.
Cross Border Fighting Casualties – At least five civilians were injured in Afghanistan’s Paktia province after overnight clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces along the border on October 11, residents said. Mortar shells struck homes in Dand Patan district, damaging property and vehicles. In another clash, at least seven civilians from Helmand were killed in a Pakistani army attack in Bahramcha. Reports suggest Pakistani forces sought to exchange their bodies with two slain soldiers.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Execution in Badghis – On Thursday, the Taliban’s police command in Badghis carried out a qisas (retributive) execution at Qala-e-Naw’s sports stadium. Residents were invited to witness the execution but were barred from bringing phones or cameras. This marks the 11th execution under Taliban rule and the second in Badghis, following earlier public executions in Farah, Ghazni, Laghman, Jawzjan, Badghis, and Nimroz provinces.
Floggings – On Monday, six people were flogged in Laghman; on Tuesday, one person was flogged in Balkh; and on Thursday, two men and one woman were flogged in Laghman.
Internal Politics
Reshuffling Officials – On Monday, the Taliban government announced a major reshuffle involving 15 new appointments across ministries, provincial administrations, and military commands. Key changes include Sheikh Mohammad Qasim Khalid becoming Deputy Minister of Counter-Narcotics and Haji Mohammad Wazir Badshah appointed Deputy Minister of Interior for Logistics. Several officials were reassigned between provincial and central posts, including new governors for Badghis, Nimroz, and Khost, and a new commander for the 203rd Mansouri Corps.
Additional Reshuffling – On Saturday, Mullah Hibatullah reshuffled several senior officials, appointing Mohammad Ayub Khalid as commander of the 215 Al-Azm Corps and Amanuddin Mansoor as Helmand governor. Mohammad Ismail becomes Badakhshan governor, while Abdul Rahman Kunduzi takes over Uruzgan. The changes also include new commanders for the 215 and 217 Corps and a deputy minister for borders. This marks the second major reshuffle in a week.
Four Private Universities Closed – On Friday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has closed four private universities — Qalam, Estegamat, Ibn Sina, and Dunya — citing failure to meet academic standards. Unofficial sources allege political and sectarian motives, noting that Kabul’s Shia-affiliated Ibn Sina University is among those shut. Reports suggest more closures of Shia and former officials’ institutions may follow, sparking concern over academic freedom in Afghanistan.
International Developments
EU Special Representative Visits Kabul – On Wednesday, Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi met with Gilles Bertrand, the European Union’s new special envoy for Afghanistan, to discuss narcotics control and the return of Afghan refugees. Hanafi expressed appreciation for EU assistance and emphasized maintaining positive relations. Bertrand reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Afghan women and girls. The visit marked Bertrand’s first trip to Kabul since his appointment earlier this month.
European Countries Coordinating with the Taliban to Return Illegal Afghan Immigrants – Norway and 19 European countries have urged the European Commission to coordinate the return of Afghans illegally residing in Europe, including those deemed threats to public order. The letter calls for stronger EU cooperation, a joint mission to negotiate with the Taliban, and a greater role for Frontex in deportations. Signatories include Germany, France, Belgium, and 17 others, with Germany already pursuing separate talks to speed up deportations.
Freedom of the Press
Nighttime Internet Cuts in Kabul – On Tuesday, several telecom companies in Kabul reported being instructed by the Taliban to shut down fiber-optic internet services at night, leading to widespread connectivity disruptions, despite no formal directive being issued. Residents say the nightly cuts are disrupting education, business, and daily life.
App Store Access Blocked – On Thursday, the Taliban-run Ministry of Telecommunications told Amu that nationwide access to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store has been restricted, forcing users to rely on VPNs. Residents across multiple provinces confirmed the block.
Shamshid TV Shut down – On Friday, Taliban authorities shut down Kabul-based Shamshad TV and Radio following an order from the General Directorate of Intelligence, accusing the outlet of inadequate coverage of recent border clashes with Pakistan. The stations were allowed to resume broadcasts on Sunday.
Regional Developments
Qatar Holding Negotiations Between Taliban and Pakistan – On Thursday, a Taliban government source confirmed that talks between Taliban and Pakistani officials will be held in Doha, with a delegation set to depart Kabul soon. On Saturday, a high-level Afghan delegation led by Acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob traveled to Doha for talks with Pakistan, confirmed Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid. Both sides will discuss counterterrorism cooperation, border security, and refugee issues. On Saturday evening a ceasefire agreement was announced.
Pakistan Kills Seven Afghan Civilian Migrants – On Monday, Pakistani security forces allegedly executed seven Afghan laborers after arresting them near the Durand Line in Helmand’s Bahramcha district as they attempted to enter Balochistan. According to sources cited by Nedaye Baloch, the men were detained by Pakistani troops before being shot dead. The incident has not yet been addressed by either Pakistani or Taliban authorities.
Borders With Pakistan Remain Closed – On Tuesday, border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remained closed for a third consecutive day following deadly clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, halting trade and travel across key routes. Despite the shutdown, Pakistan deported at least 3,000 Afghan migrants on October 13 through Torkham and Spin Boldak. All five major crossings—Torkham, Spin Boldak, Dand Patan, Ghulam Khan, and Angoor Adda—remain closed, raising economic concerns over rising prices and pressure on Afghanistan’s currency.
Afghan Commercial Transit Cancelled Through Karachi and Port Qasim – On Thursday, Pakistan halted Afghan commercial transit through Karachi and Port Qasim after recent border clashes with the Taliban. The Federal Board of Revenue ordered all Afghan-bound containers unloaded and transit permits canceled, citing limited customs capacity. Border closures have nearly stopped bilateral trade.
Pakistan/Afghanistan Rhetoric – On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated, “The Taliban are our own creation; we nurtured them during our alliance with the U.S., but they have now become unreliable.” He warned that Islamabad would no longer respond mildly to Taliban hostility, accusing Kabul of harboring terrorist groups including ISIS, al-Qaeda, and TTP. Similarly, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that ISIS-K leaders, including Shahab al-Muhajir, are hiding in Pakistan and urged Islamabad to hand them over or expel them.
Taliban Detain Afghans Trying to Enter Iran – The Taliban’s 207th Al-Farooq Corps in Herat reported arresting 202 Afghans attempting to illegally cross into Iran from Ghorian district last week. Iran has tightened visa restrictions and expelled about two million Afghans this year, with reports indicating that many deported migrants are trying to return via smuggling routes.
Iran to Issue 200,000 Work Visas to Afghans – On Friday, Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Iran’s Foreign Ministry official for South Asian affairs announced that Iran will issue 200,000 work visas for Afghan nationals. The announcement came during a meeting between Bahrami and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, where both discussed the status of Afghan migrants in Iran and recent regional developments, as well as ongoing progress in trade relations between Kabul and Tehran.
Iran Stops Tourist Visa Issuance in Herat – On Thursday, Iran’s consulate in Herat suspended the issuance of tourist visas for Afghan citizens until further notice, continuing to issue only business, transit, residence, student, and medical visas. Meanwhile, Tehran introduced a five-year residency program for foreign investors who deposit at least $250,000 in Iranian banks.
China’s Statement on Pakistan/Afghanistan Fighting – On Tuesday, China’s Foreign Ministry urged Pakistan and the Taliban to exercise restraint and resolve border tensions through dialogue after deadly clashes along the frontier. Spokesperson Lin Jian said both are China’s friendly neighbors with shared interests in peace, stability, and counterterrorism cooperation. Beijing expressed readiness to help improve bilateral relations and called on both sides to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and projects.
First Train Travels Between Iran And Afghanistan – The first passenger train between Iran and Afghanistan will begin service on Wednesday, traveling from Mashhad to Rozanak in Herat province. The 400-passenger train operates via the newly completed Khaf–Herat railway, linking Herat to Iran’s broader rail network.
US Visa Processing Information/US Legal Information (updated 10/16/25):
SIV Case Transfer Updates –SIV applicants can request a transfer of their Afghan SIV case to a U.S. embassy in another country by emailing NVCSIV@state.gov with their full name, date of birth, NVC case number, and the name of the desired embassy. The National Visa Center reviews these requests and informs applicants whether the requested embassy is accepting SIV cases at that time.
SIV Processing – SIV cases remain exempt from the U.S. travel ban. CARE flights have ended and will not resume. Applicants whose cases are ready for interview must process through a third-country embassy at their own expense—including travel, medical exams, lodging, and onward U.S. travel. Applicants must maintain valid legal status (e.g., visa) in their host country. Before requesting a transfer, applicants should research local visa requirements, processing times, living costs, and renewal options. Many embassies face large backlogs and may refuse transfers. Do not relocate until receiving written confirmation from both the NVC and the U.S. embassy approving your transfer and interview date. Consider obtaining multi-entry visas for nearby countries for added flexibility. (Note: Dushanbe is not currently accepting SIV cases and the Taliban have restricted travel to Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Sri Lanka for some SIV applicants.)
IOM Resumes Flight Loans For SIV Cases – IOM has resumed providing travel loans for SIV holders who already possess valid U.S. visas. Note: These are not CARE Team relocation flights. For assistance with issued SIV travel arrangements, contact SIV_OPE@iom.int
Pactio V. Trump – Some select Refugee cases covered by Pacito V. Trump may be contacted by IOM resettlement. Applicants covered by these instructions will be contacted directly. Please note: Afghans still face the travel ban and wider refugee processing is still halted.
ICE Information – ICE detentions are an increasing concern for Afghans in the United States, including Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). Following a recent Supreme Court decision lifting restrictions on immigration enforcement in Los Angeles, ICE officers may now conduct stops based on appearance, language, employment, or location. Reports indicate that even Afghans with refugee or legal status—including LPRs and those who served alongside U.S. forces—have been detained during routine immigration appointments. All Afghans in the U.S. are strongly advised to carry proof of legal status at all times, understand their rights under U.S. law, and be prepared for possible encounters with ICE. Information on rights is available here.
USCIS Moral Character Requirements – USCIS has broadened its “good moral character” criteria for green card holders seeking U.S. citizenship, allowing officers to review applicants’ social media activity, neighborhood reputation, and possible “anti-American” affiliations. The expanded screening now considers online conduct, community relationships, and general behavior when determining eligibility for naturalization. Afghans and other applicants are advised to exercise care with public posts, avoid controversial or misleading content, and maintain clear records of positive community involvement and lawful conduct.
Miscellaneous
Salang Tunnel Closed for Repaving– On Tuesday, Taliban authorities announced that the Salang Tunnel will be closed to all vehicles from October 17 to November 26 for repaving.
NEXT WEEK
In Afghanistan, mobile internet remains stable for now, though restrictions on social media apps are expected to continue. Afghans are advised to use VPNs where possible to maintain connectivity, as communications remain vulnerable.
Resistance forces have been increasingly active in recent weeks. Continued attacks by these groups are likely this week, as are Taliban checkpoints and searches aimed at locating resistance fighters. Former Republic officials—particularly those from the NDS, ANSF, and special forces—remain at heightened risk of searches, detention, torture, and targeted killings. This includes recent returnees or deportees from both Pakistan and Iran.
The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has also established neighborhood committees, officially to monitor moral conduct but likely to track anti-Taliban activity as well. The risk of human rights violations remains elevated, and the presence of neighborhood informants poses a serious threat to vulnerable populations.
Borders with Pakistan remain closed, opening only for the deportation of Afghans. Reports suggest the Chaman border may reopen today or Monday, with other crossings expected to follow later this week. Despite the ceasefire and agreements reached in Qatar, the situation along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border remains tense, and further clashes or flare-ups are likely, particularly in the coming days. Afghans planning to travel to Pakistan are advised to verify the status of crossings before departure, while those living in border areas should remain alert to the possibility of renewed fighting.
Deportations from both Iran and Pakistan continue and are expected to intensify in the coming week. In Pakistan, deportations and detentions are increasing, with several refugee camps reportedly set to close immediately. In Iran, new deportation measures have been announced, and all Afghans without valid visas are subject to removal. The risk of arbitrary detention and extortion of Afghans—even those with valid documentation—remains high in both countries.
Afghans living abroad are strongly advised not to travel to Afghanistan at this time. With rising tensions involving Pakistan and the United States, the situation is highly volatile. Communications may be cut without warning, green card holders and foreign nationals may face detention, and travel to and from the country could be disrupted if fighting continues. There is no US diplomatic presence in Afghanistan to provide assistance if you are detained or injured.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Baharestan Starts Second Phase of Afghan Deportations – On Thursday, Iran began the second phase of deporting undocumented Afghan migrants from Baharestan, near Tehran, as part of a broader crackdown on unauthorized foreign nationals. Authorities said nearly 1,000 Afghans are deported daily, with over 450,000 removed from Tehran province since the plan began. Officials claim most departures are voluntary, though rights groups report forced evictions and harsh conditions.
Afghan Executed on Drug Charges – On Wednesday, Hazrat Ishaqzai, an Afghan citizen from Farah province, was executed in Iran on drug-related charges.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan increases Deportations of Afghans – On Tuesday, Pakistan ordered the immediate closure of all Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, directing residents to leave and return to Afghanistan, according to local media. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has ordered the evacuation of 28 Afghan refugee camps across the province under directives from the Federal Ministry of SAFRON. The de-notified sites include camps in Peshawar, Nowshera, Hangu, Kohat, Mardan, Swabi, Buner, and Dir. All land and immovable assets will be formally transferred to provincial or district authorities. The move follows recent demolitions of Afghan refugee settlements in Karachi, Sindh province. On Wednesday, house-to-house searches were conducted in Hazara Town, Quetta, to locate Afghan migrants.
TTP Leader Issues Video Disputing Claims he was Killed in Afghanistan – On Thursday, TTP leader Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud appeared in a new video denying reports of his death in an alleged October 9 airstrike in Kabul. Speaking from what he said was Khyber district, Mehsud claimed his group controls areas of Qambar Khel and Kuki Khel, rejected accusations of Indian or Afghan Taliban support, and urged his fighters to follow TTP directives while maintaining good relations with local communities.
Suicide Attack in North Waziristan – On Friday, a coordinated militant assault targeted the Khaddi Fort in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, when a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the compound. The Hafiz Gul Bahadar–linked group Jamaat al-Fursan Muhammad claimed responsibility and released a video of the attack. Reports indicate six attackers were killed, along with seven Pakistani security personnel, while 13 others were injured. The group allegedly used drones to distract security forces during the ground assault.
Protests Dispursed – On Monday, an 80-member grand jirga of elders from Bara traveled to Tirah Valley to negotiate with the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups to vacate the area peacefully. Representing all five tehsils of Khyber district, the elders will coordinate with a local jirga before talks begin. Officials said the delegation has 7–10 days to reach a resolution, with a temporary ceasefire in place at the elders’ request. The TTP has reportedly demanded the implementation of Sharia law similar to Afghanistan and greater autonomy, resembling the pre-merger status of the former tribal areas.
Tirah Valley to Hold Jirga with TTP – On Monday, an 80-member grand jirga of elders from Bara traveled to Tirah Valley to negotiate with the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups to vacate the area peacefully. Representing all five tehsils of Khyber district, the elders will coordinate with a local jirga before talks begin. Officials said the delegation has 7–10 days to reach a resolution, with a temporary ceasefire in place at the elders’ request. The TTP has reportedly demanded that Sharia be implemented similar to Afghanistan and that they be allowed more freedom, similar to when the area was tribal areas before it was incorporated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
IMP Attack in kills 6 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – At least six Pakistani soldiers were killed, six wounded, and five reported missing after militants attacked a security checkpoint in the Ghiljo area of Orakzai district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), a coalition of three militant groups, claimed responsibility and confirmed the death of one of its fighters.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Fahim Abed, Elena DeBre, Jessica Purkiss, May Bulman, Charlotte Alfred, Sanjar Sohail, Amin Kawa, Shapar Sepehr, Nawruz Sohail, Besmillah Taban, Jalil Rawnaq, Zaki Daryabi, Hope Hodge Seck, Holly Bancroft, Alicja Hagopian, Tessa Pang, Wael Eskander, Ariadne Papagapitos, Sabrina Slipchenko
While the US and others roll back protections for Afghans, new evidence shows the scale of ongoing reprisal killings, belying the Taliban’s claim of an amnesty for former soldiers.
The first investigation to document in detail reprisal killings since 2023, in partnership with the Military Times, Etilaat Roz, Hasht-e Subh (8am Media) and The Independent, we reveal an ongoing pattern of killings and concerning evidence that former soldiers are being systematically hunted by the Taliban.
At least 110 former members of Afghanistan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) have been killed since 2023, according to the new data. Amongst those killed and tortured are members of elite Afghan units who worked in close partnership with US and UK Special Forces.
The deaths demonstrate the hollowness of the Taliban’s professed amnesty for former Afghan forces. After they seized control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban claimed that their enemies had nothing to fear – former soldiers and officials would be protected by a general amnesty. A spate of killings followed.
At first, Western nations tried to bring their former allies to safety, but these routes have been shrinking, with some advocates concerned that the Taliban’s supposed amnesty – which the group reiterated this year – is being used to justify those decisions. Meanwhile a growing climate of fear in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has made it harder to verify deaths. The United Nations last issued a standalone report on these killings in 2023.
This investigation shows killings have continued unabated since then and well into 2025, even as the Trump administration ended Temporary Protection Status for Afghans in the US and suspended other immigration pathways that were relied upon by the Afghan special forces community.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan’s Education System in Crisis: 90% of Ten-Year-Olds Cannot Read, UN Warns
Kabul Now
Afghanistan’s education system is facing an “unprecedented” crisis, with millions of children, particularly girls, excluded from schooling, and overall learning quality is declining sharply, according to a new UN report.
The joint report by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Afghanistan Education Situation Report 2025, reveals that more than 2.1 million primary school-age children are out of school and 90 percent of ten-year-olds cannot read a simple text — highlighting one of the world’s most severe learning crises.
REGIONAL NEWS
Pakistan urges Taliban to act against terrorist groups in Afghanistan
Ahmad Azizi
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called on the Taliban to take “immediate and effective action” to dismantle terrorist networks operating from Afghan soil, which he said continue to orchestrate attacks inside Pakistan.
In a phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Sharif said that while Pakistan has agreed to a temporary ceasefire with the Taliban to facilitate peace talks in Doha, it expects concrete action against groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). He described those groups as “agents of chaos” and alleged they are backed by foreign actors.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Germany spearheads drive to legitimize Taliban in exchange for migrant deportations
Nette Nostlinger and Milka Fijalkowska
Germany’s leaders don’t officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, but that’s not stopping them from dealing with the pariah regime to get something they badly want.
As Germany and other EU states intensify their migration crackdowns, European leaders are examining ways to deport Afghan migrants to Afghanistan in large numbers. In return for the Taliban’s cooperation, Germany in particular is providing the regime — which is formally recognised only by Moscow — some of what it most craves internationally: legitimacy.
He supported the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Now he may be deported to the Taliban.
John Woodrow Cox
In his cell, the light glows all night, so he pulls a blanket over his head and burrows into the darkness. Then comes his nightmare, about the Taliban fighter whose face appears in a cloud of black smoke, beard long, hand reaching toward him. He runs and he runs until he wakes up, gasping.
Now, in the light, he worries it’s not a dream but a vision of his future in Afghanistan, where he will be tortured and killed, where his wife will starve, where his son will be forced to join the militants, where his daughter will become an old man’s fourth wife.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 66.45 AFN (As of October 19)