Sources: TTP leader killed in Kabul

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TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud

Amu: Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was killed in a strike in Kabul on Thursday night, multiple sources confirmed to Amu. Kabul residents reported loud explosions in parts of Kabul, which they believed were airstrikes. Two local residents said the strikes happened near Abdulhaq Square in downtown Kabul. The exact location of the strikes remain unclear. Taliban chief spokesman confirmed the attacks, saying that they have started an investigation. Click here to read more (external link).

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Taliban Have Crippled Services For Disabled Afghans, Says Tribunal Prosecutor

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Afghanistan International: Benafsha Yaqoobi, the prosecutor at the People’s Tribunal for Afghan women, said that the Taliban have completely dismantled the rights and support systems for persons with disabilities since returning to power. Addressing the second day of the tribunal in Madrid, She described the group’s actions as a form of repression and crimes against humanity. Click here to read more (external link).

Political Analyst Salim Paigar Shot and Critically Wounded in Kabul

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Salim Paigar

Khaama: Political analyst Salim Paigar was shot and critically wounded in an armed attack near his home in Kabul on Thursday, according to sources close to his family. He was taken to the Emergency Hospital, where doctors said his condition remains serious. Paigar, a well-known commentator in Kabul, had publicly supported some Taliban policies but had also voiced criticism over issues such as the closure of girls’ schools. His nuanced position reportedly drew attention from various political factions. Analysts say the attack reflects the deteriorating security situation in Kabul, where targeted violence against journalists, civil activists, and commentators has surged in recent months. Click here to read more (external link).

Watchdog Says Taliban Restricting Social Media In Afghanistan Days After Internet Blackout

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By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi
October 8, 2025

Internet watchdog NetBlocks has confirmed reports from inside Afghanistan that several major social media sites have been “intentionally restricted.”

“Metrics show social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are now restricted on multiple providers in Afghanistan; the incident follows last week’s telecoms blackout and is the latest in a series of internet censorship measures imposed by the Taliban,” NetBlocks, a watchdog organization that monitors cybersecurity and internet governance, said in a statement on October 8.

The report confirms statements from social media users inside Afghanistan earlier in the day, who told Radio Azadi that they had been unable to access social media networks without using a filter breaker or VPN since the previous evening.

The Taliban-led government has not officially commented on the social media shutdown.

For nearly 48 hours last week, Afghanistan was plunged into confusion and chaos after authorities imposed a nationwide telecommunications blackout. The Taliban cut off access to fiber-optic Internet and cell phone service, which relies on the same system, without warning on September 29. It was restored on October 1.

The move triggered chaos, disrupting flights and cutting people off from banking and e-commerce systems as well as online jobs and schools.

The Taliban didn’t give an official reason for its decision, but the shutdown came weeks after the hard-line Islamist group blocked access to fiber-optic Internet in several provinces because of concerns over “immorality.”

Critics have said the decision is part of a wider crackdown on individual freedoms and the free flow of information.

The communications blackout affected ordinary Afghans, private businesses, and government offices and caused challenges for thousands of Afghans who are outside the country.

The Internet has been a lifeline for Afghan women, many of whom lost their right to work and study following a Taliban ban in 2022.

The blackout triggered fears among women that they were losing their last hope.

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

Facebook, Instagram Reportedly Blocked Across Several Afghan Provinces

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Afghanistan International: Locals in Kabul, Parwan, Balkh, Samangan, and Faryab said the social media disruption began recently. Some users also reported being unable to log into Snapchat. Click here to read more (external link).

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Sources: Taliban ask new police recruits in Panjshir to bring their own weapons

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Amu: New recruits in Taliban police in Panjshir province have been asked to procure their own weapons or risk dismissal, four sources from the Taliban police told Amu. The sources said the order specifically targets local recruits from Panjshir, while Taliban members brought in from other provinces are exempt. Click here to read more (external link).

Nawidullah Saadi to debut in ONE Championship Muay Thai event

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Amu: Afghan Muay Thai fighter Nawidullah Saadi is set to make his debut in ONE Championship, the world’s largest professional martial arts organization, on Friday, October 10, in Bangkok, Thailand. Saadi, originally from Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul, began training in 2016 at the Kabul Shahans Gym in western Kabul. After years of dedicated practice and participation in national tournaments, he earned a spot on Afghanistan’s national youth Muay Thai team in early 2021 following his strong performance in the qualifying competitions. Click here to read more (external link).

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Pakistan Speeds Up Deportation of Afghan Refugees

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Khaama: Pakistani authorities have intensified their campaign to deport Afghan refugees, with multiple reports of police raids, harassment, and arbitrary arrests in Islamabad and other cities. Refugees say visa renewals have been suspended, leaving thousands vulnerable to detention and forced return. Residents of the B-17 neighborhood in Islamabad told reporters that police raided homes on Tuesday, detaining Afghans unable to present valid documents. Many of those targeted had previously worked with U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan and are awaiting resettlement in Western countries. Click here to read more (external link).

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