Ariana: The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is a Turkish citizen. He was apprehended during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. Details on the timing of the operation or the involvement of Afghan and Pakistani authorities were not disclosed. According to the report, Goren had risen through the ranks of Daesh and was allegedly tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe. Click here to read more (external link).
70 Percent Of TTP Fighters Are Afghans, Says Pak Army Chief
Munir
Afghanistan International: Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, has warned the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) that no threat to Pakistan’s security and sovereignty will be tolerated, claiming that about 70 percent of the group’s fighters are Afghans. Munir described the TTP as a direct challenge to the Pakistani state and said restoring the writ of the government is the exclusive responsibility of the state. He stressed that the declaration of jihad lies solely with the government, not with individuals or armed groups. Click here to read more (external link).
Haqqani met Akhundzada in Kandahar after criticism: Sources
Amu: Details of the meeting have not been made public, but the visit came days after Haqqani sharply criticised the Taliban’s style of governance in a speech in the eastern province of Khost on December 12. Following his trip to Kandahar, the Taliban’s traditional power centre, Haqqani struck a markedly different tone, publicly stressing obedience to Akhundzada’s orders and calling for unity within the Taliban. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – December 21, 2025
Kabul Under Siege by Stray Dogs: Taliban Neglect Intensifies Fear and Danger
8am: Many residents of Kabul say that stray dogs have become increasingly common on roads and in neighborhoods, especially in outlying areas. People describe how these dogs roam the streets early in the morning and late at night, spreading fear and constant anxiety. Children and older people face the greatest danger, they say, and some residents no longer feel safe enough to step outside their homes. At the same time, several doctors warn that the rising number of stray dogs in residential areas has created serious health concerns, especially the risk of spreading infectious diseases. They stress that without proper control, diseases such as rabies and other infections could spread more widely and endanger public health. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan launches Premier League T20 in UAE
Amu: Afghanistan on Saturday formally launched the Afghanistan Premier League Twenty20 (APL T20) at a ceremony in the United Arab Emirates, unveiling the tournament’s logo, proposed window, venue and number of teams, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said. Click here to read more (external link).
More Afghan Sports News
About 1,000 Migrant Families Returned to Afghanistan Yesterday
8am: The Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Saturday, December 20, that 30 families returned via Islam Qala in Herat, 185 families through Spin Boldak in Kandahar, 790 families through Torkham in Nangarhar, and 58 families through Bahramcha in Helmand. Click here to read more (external link).
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Tolo News in Dari – December 20, 2025
Former Security Officer Beheaded in Badakhshan Province
8am: According to the sources, his decapitated body was later found in the Yaftal district. The sources added that Naser had served in the previous government within the police headquarters of Takhar and Badakhshan provinces. The sources did not specify who or which group was responsible for the killing. According to Hasht-e Subh Daily findings, from 2023 through mid-2025, the Taliban have killed approximately 110 former security personnel. Click here to read more (external link).
UN report says Taliban absorbed former fighters from terrorist groups into security ranks
Amu: In its latest comprehensive report covering developments through Dec. 8, 2025, the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said more than 20 international and regional terrorist organizations remain active in Afghanistan, despite Taliban assertions that no such groups operate in or from Afghan territory. The report said groups assessed to be present include al Qaeda, Islamic State Khorasan (ISIL-K), Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement/Turkistan Islamic Party (ETIM/TIP), the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan and Jamaat Ansarullah, among others, with several aiming to expand regionally and some using Afghanistan to plan and prepare external attacks. Click here to read more (external link).