SECURITY
Gunfire Heard in Vicinity of Kabul Emergency Hospital
Kabul: Sporadic gunfire has been heard near the Emergency Hospital in Kabul; however, the reasons for it are not yet clear. Causalities of any type have not yet been reported. Tolonews
At Least 87 Wounded in Cemetery Blast, Up to 20 Dead: Sources
Kabul: At least 20 people were killed and 87 others wounded in a suicide bombing at the funeral of a Senator’s son in Khair Khana in Kabul city. Three suicide bombers detonated their explosives during the funeral. High-ranking officials had been in attendance at the time, including CEO Abdullah Abdullah and acting foreign affairs minister Salahuddin Rabbani. Both were unharmed following the incident. Tolonews
Kabul Garrison Commander Warns of Terror Threat
Kabul: Lt. Gen. Gul Nabi Ahmadzai, Kabul’s Garrison Commander, warned the public at a press that they had information that terrorist organizations were planning attacks at such gatherings and demonstrations. He called on the public to stay away from demonstrations in the next few days due to the “sensitive security situation.” Tolonews
Nangarhar Police Detain 13 Crime Suspects
Nanagarhar: More than a dozen people have been arrested by police in separate operations in eastern Nangarhar province. The operations were conducted in Jalalabad, the provincial of Nangarhar province. Pajhwok
Landmine Planter Killed by Foreign Forces in Parwan
Parwan: A rebel who wanted to plant a mine in the Bagram district of central Parwan province has been targeted and killed by foreign forces. Pajhwok
POLITICAL
Security Officials Need to Answer over Funeral Bombing: CEO
Shortly after returning from the burial ceremony which was hit by three back-to-back explosions, CEO Abdullah Abdullah, who survived the bombing, raised questions over how three suicide bombers were able to join the mourners, which included high-ranking government officials, former jihadi leaders and lawmakers. Tolonews
Protesters Call for Ghani and Abdullah to Step Down
The Kabul protesters want the leaders of the National Unity Government, President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah, to step down. They also called for the resignation of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief Massoum Stanekzai, the head of National Security Council Haneef Atmar, and the minister of interior Taj Mohammad Jahid. Tolonews
Ghani says Country under Attack
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has said that the country is under attack as three back to back explosions rocked the city this afternoon targeting the funereal ceremony of the son of the deputy house speaker of the Afghan Senate. He further added that under this situation we must be strong and united. Khaama
Taliban not Behind the Attack on Funeral Ceremony in Kabul
The Taliban insurgents group in Afghanistan rejected the role of the group in consecutive explosions in capital Kabul that left several people dead or wounded. Mujahid, the group’s spokesman, claimed that the incident has links to internal dispute. He affirmed that Taliban had no role in the explosions that took place during the funeral ceremony in Sarai Shamali. Khaama
Ghani Chairs Emergency Security Meeting after Violent Kabul Protests
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani chaired an emergency security meeting following the violent protests in Kabul city that claimed the lives of several protesters. The meeting was called and attended by senior security officials so that an investigation can be launched regarding the Friday protests that turned violent. Khaama
President Ghani says Government to respond to the Legal Demands of Protesters
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said that the government was committed to respond to the legal demands of the protesters. He pledged to respond to the demands of the people in accordance with the laws of the country after receiving their reasonable demands. He also added that necessary steps would be put in place to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. Khaama
Hekmatyar Harshly Criticizes Kabul Bombing Perpetrators, Calling them Stooges
Gulbudddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hezb-e-Islami, harshly criticized the perpetrators of the deadly bombing in Kabul, calling those involved behind the attack stooges and murderers. He said those who plotted and carried out the Wednesday attack in Kabul did not believe in Islam and such attacks have no justification in Islam. He further said that even the murder of the non-Muslims who were not fighting is prohibited in Islam. Khaama
Struggle to Go on till Govt’s Ouster: Zia Massoud
President Ashraf Ghani’s former aide Ahmad Zia Massoud promised struggle till the ouster of current government, which he branded as corrupt and inefficient. According to him the current government failed to establish security and law and order in the country. Pajhwok
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S Envoy Calls for Unity following two Days of Bloodshed
Hugo Llorens, the Special Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador for the U.S to Kabul, called on all Afghans to unite “during this painful time.” He further added that Grief could be a powerful motivator and I urge all Afghans and the international community to come together during this painful time. Tolonews
UNAMA Calls for Restraint amid Protests in Kabul
Tadamichi Yamamoto said that the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is deeply concerned that Friday’s protests led to more violence and loss of lives following Wednesday’s truck bombing that caused hundreds of civilian casualties. This tragic week had already added too much civilian suffering, and that further violence would not solve any problems. Tolonews
Pakistani Ambassador Claims Haqqani Network has shifted to Afghanistan
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, a top Pakistani diplomat to Washington, has claimed the notorious Haqqani terrorist network has moved to Afghanistan, rejecting the claims of the Afghan officials after the deadly Kabul bombing which was attributed to the network and Pakistan’s military intelligence. Khaama
Washington Protestors Links ISI to Kabul Bombing
A group of Afghan Americans from in and around Washington DC held a peaceful protest in front of the Pakistani Embassy alleging that the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan were done at the behest of ISI. They accused Pakistani establishment of carrying out the attacks. Pajhwok
NATO Vows to Help Strengthen Helmand Security
NATO commander for eastern and central Asia, Gen. Walters, said that important decisions would be taken for strengthening security in southern Helmand province in line with local officials’ requests. Security situation in and around Helmand was deteriorating by each passing day. Pajhwok
