SECURITY
Officials Confirm Five Protesters Killed during Kabul Rally
Kabul: At least five protesters were killed while eight were injured in demonstrations in Kabul. The incident happened after security forces opened fire on the demonstrators. The massive protests erupted at the site of a devastating suicide bombing in Kabul. Mohammad Salim Ezadyar, the son of deputy speaker (Mohammad Alam Ezadyar) of the Upper House of the Parliament, was also killed during the protests. Tolonews, Pajhwok, Khaama
ISIS Suicide Attacks Plan Foiled in Jalalabad City of Afghanistan
Nangarhar: The Afghan security forces have foiled a plan by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group to carry out a series of suicide attacks in Jalalabad city, the provincial capital of Nangarhar province. Ataullah Khogyani, Provincial governor’s spokesman, said that the group had planned to carry out suicide attacks on key governmental, security, and political establishments in this province. Alef Gul, originally a resident of Kot district, was arrested as he was attempting to transport four suicide bombing vests from Hafiz Kodi’s house in Bati Kot district to Haska Mina. Khaama
Explosion in a House Leaves Five Militants Dead in Ghazni
Ghazni: At least five insurgents were killed in a premature bomb explosion in southeastern Ghazni province. The incident has took place in a remote part of the restive Andar district. The militants were busy manufacturing improvised explosive device (IED) in a house belonging to an individual identified as Abdullah when the incident took place. Khaama
POLITICAL
Hekmatyar Condemns Wednesday’s Attack
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, head of Hizb-e-Islami, said at an event for women, that terrorists who carried out Wednesday’s deadly attack and other attacks were foreigner agents and murderers. They did not believe in God and had mercy on no one. The attack was against the Islamic teachings. He stressed that terrorists couldn’t reach their goals by such attacks. Tolonews
Zia Massoud Organizes Sit in among Kabul Protesters
President Ashraf Ghani’s former envoy for reforms and good governance, Zia Massoud joined demonstrators outside Kabul’s Emergency Hospital and organized a sit in protest. He warned that they would continue demonstrations until government leaders stepped down and an interim government was established. The protestors, who took to Kabul streets, carried placards with slogans “Down with Ghani”. Tolonews
Abdullah Calls for Calm in Wake of Violent Rally
Afghanistan’s CEO Abdullah Abdullah while addressing the nation called for calm following the day’s demonstrations in Kabul city. He further said that the government supported peaceful protests and that the shooting by security forces would be investigated. He also called on the demonstrators to send representatives to government to discuss their grievances. Tolonews
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Amnesty International Calls for Probe into Shooting of Protestors
Amnesty International issued a statement condemning the Afghan security forces’ actions against demonstrators at the day’s rally in protest against insecurity following Wednesday’s deadly bombing in Kabul. Biraj Patnaik, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director, said that security forces’ use of fatal force on protesters voicing anger over one of Afghanistan’s deadliest attacks illustrated the authorities’ contempt for the lives of ordinary people. Tolonews
High level Afghan-US Security Pact Talks Expected amid Deteriorating Security
The Afghan and the US officials expect to hold high level talks and consultations within the framework of the Bilateral Security Agreement amid deteriorating security situation in the country. Afghanistan NSA, Mohammad Hanif Atmar and his US counterpart Gen. Herbert McMaster agreed to start high level talks and consultations considering the deteriorating security situation of the country, particularly the recent deadly bombing in Kabul. Khaama
Saudi King Denounces Deadly Kabul Bombing
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a condolence message to President Dr. Ashraf Ghani following Wednesday’s terrorist assault in Kabul. He further said that we had received with profound pain and sadness the news of a terrorist explosion that took place in the diplomatic quarter in Kabul, killing and injuring dozens. Pajhwok
Iran with Afghanistan in Anti-Terror Fight: Rouhani
Iran has expressed complete solidarity with Afghanistan in the ongoing fight against the twin menace of terrorism and extremism. Iran assured Afghanistan to extend any type of help in the fight against terrorism and insurgency. Pajhwok
Chancellor Merkel Halts Deportations to Afghanistan
In the wake of a devastating terrorist attack in downtown Kabul, which caused hundreds of casualties, Germany has put on hold deportations to Afghanistan. According to German Chancellor, the security situation inside Afghanistan was not stable. Pajhwok
