NRF Claims Killing of Taliban Commander and Members in Attacks in Nuristan & Kabul

This statement comes in response to the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoning the Taliban embassy's charge d'affaires in Islamabad, demanding the extradition of those responsible for the attack.

Pakistan's military confirmed that at least 23 policemen were killed in the suicide bombing at a Dera Ismail Khan police station on Tuesday. Contrary to Mujahid's claims, documents obtained by Afghanistan International's Pashto section suggest that an Afghan Taliban member, a resident of Musa Qala district in Helmand province, executed the attack.

In a Wednesday interview with the Taliban-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Mujahid expressed his condolences for the attack. He assured that the Taliban would initiate an investigation if Pakistan provides detailed information about the incident. Mujahid also remarked on Pakistan's strong security presence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, implying their capability to prevent such attacks.

Mujahid emphasised that attributing every issue to another country is not a constructive approach. Meanwhile, Khawaja Mohammad Asif, Pakistan's former defence minister, asserted that Afghanistan is the sole origin of terrorism. Asif urged the Taliban, as a "neighbouring brother," not to allow its territory to be used against Pakistan.

According to the documents, the suicide bomber was a resident of Musa Qala of Helmand province.

On Tuesday, the Pakistan Army confirmed that at least 23 soldiers were killed in a car bomb attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan. Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan, often referred to as a branch of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the incident.

Audio messages from local Taliban officials in Helmand, received by Afghanistan International, reveal that the attack was carried out by Qari Shakir, an Afghan Taliban fighter residing in the Musa Qala district of Helmand.

A video message from this Taliban fighter has also been published in which he says, “They should not be saddened by my martyrdom. When you hear about my martyrdom, pray and be thankful that I was martyred in this way."

He also added that he would take the revenge of all Muslims with his own hands.

Meanwhile, local Taliban officials in Helmand have confirmed the attacker's actions through WhatsApp messages. A member of the Taliban has sought forgiveness from fellow members for the attacker, sharing his photo on WhatsApp.

Following the attack, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan summoned the Taliban's Charge d'affaires in Islamabad and demanded the handover of the perpetrators of the incident.

Pakistan has consistently accused the Taliban of supporting the TTP and called for decisive action against this group. In response, the Afghan Taliban has denied Pakistan's claims, suggesting that they should address the sources of insecurity within their own borders.

Earlier, local sources also confirmed to Afghanistan International that an explosion had occurred in the capital of Samangan.

AFF has also published a video of the attack.

In recent weeks, the front’s attacks against the Taliban have increased in different parts of Afghanistan.

The Taliban has not yet commented about the incident.

During a press conference on Monday, he highlighted the United States' capacity to conduct over-the-horizon anti-terrorism operations.

Miller stressed the expectation that the Taliban should prevent Afghanistan from becoming a terrorism haven, as it has been in the past. He referenced the US State Department's annual report for 2022, which indicates that Afghanistan's neighbouring countries are also significantly worried about potential terrorist threats originating from Afghanistan.

US President Joe Biden has affirmed that the nation's military forces are vigilantly monitoring potential threats from Afghanistan within the region. In a 7 December letter to Congress, Biden noted that US military personnel are strategically positioned outside Afghanistan, ready to address regional threats.

Additionally, Miller addressed the US's ongoing efforts to combat corruption in Afghanistan and globally. He referred specifically to sanctions against Mir Rahman Rahmani, the former Speaker of the Afghan Parliament, and his son, Ajmal Rahmani, a former member of the Afghan parliament. These individuals have been barred from entering the United States due to significant corruption allegations.

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Mir Rahman Rahmani, Ajmal Rahmani, and 44 companies associated with them across various European and Asian countries. On Monday, the department accused them of being involved in significant corruption in Afghanistan.

This session had been dedicated to assessing the current situation of women living under the Taliban rule and saw the participation of several prominent Afghan women activists who highlighted their vital perspectives on various issues.

This informal session of the UN Security Council, announced by the Swiss permanent representation to the United Nations, included notable figures such as Fawzia Kofi, a former member of the Afghan parliament, alongside women activists Yalda Royan and Asila Wardak.

The Swiss representation underscored their commitment to advocating for the equal and meaningful involvement of Afghan women in shaping the country's future.

While specific details of the meeting remain undisclosed, it has been understood that the session was co-chaired by representatives from Switzerland, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates at the United Nations.

Discussions likely included the recommendations put forth by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the Special Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General on Afghanistan.

The closed nature of these meetings has not come without criticism. Heather Barr, Associate Director of the Women's Division at Human Rights Watch, has recently voiced concerns over the UN's approach to addressing the Afghan situation behind closed doors.