Is a rift between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban imminent?

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Taliban leader Mullah Baradar with Pakistan’s ISI Chief Faiz Hameed

Raza Khan via Al Jazeera: In recent months, however, signs have emerged of cracks in the otherwise amicable relations between the two. Disagreements over the demarcation of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and Afghan Taliban support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have caused tensions. If no resolution is reached on these issues, this could cause a rift in relations with significant consequences for both Pakistan’s national security and regional stability. Click here to read more (external link).

Avalanche Kills 10, Four Still Missing in Kunar: Officials

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Tolo News: Local officials in the northeastern province of Kunar on Tuesday said that efforts are underway to find four residents who were trapped in an avalanche in Dangam district. At least ten persons died and nine others were injured when an avalanche hit Goriga village of Dangam district on Monday morning, officials said. Four men are still missing, they said. Click here to read more (external link).

U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward For Information On Leader Of Islamic State In Afghanistan

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Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
February 7, 2022

The United States has offered a $10 million reward for information that helps identify and find the leader of the Islamic State (IS) group’s affiliate in Afghanistan.

The U.S. State Department also offered a $10 million reward for information that would aid in arresting or convicting the people responsible for a suicide bombing outside the Kabul airport on August 26 that killed at least 173 people, including 13 U.S. soldiers.

Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), the extremist group’s affiliate in Afghanistan.

Sanaullah Ghafari, also known as Shahab al-Muhajir, has been identified by the United States as the leader of IS-K.

The U.S. State Department said in November that Ghafari was appointed to lead IS-K in June 2020 and that he is responsible for approving all IS-K operations throughout Afghanistan and arranging funding for activities.

The State Department at the same time designated Ghafari and two other leaders of the extremist group’s affiliate in Afghanistan as global terrorists.

The Pentagon said last week that its investigation into the airport suicide bombing concluded that a single bomber carried out the attack, which occurred during the final chaotic days of the withdrawal of the U.S.-led military coalition from Afghanistan.

The bomber was later identified by Islamic State as Abdul Rahman al-Logari, who was released from prison by the Taliban after the militant group took control of Kabul on August 15.

The bomb exploded outside one of the airport’s gates as thousands of people pushed to try to get inside the airport’s perimeter and join an evacuation mounted by the United States and its allies.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters

Copyright (c) 2022. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

Taliban sends daughters to school despite closing classrooms for other female students

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The Telegraph (UK): Taliban officials are sending their daughters to schools despite keeping classrooms closed to female students.  High ranking officials are sending their children to overseas state schools and universities while depriving schooling to millions of girls in Afghanistan since seizing power according to a report by the Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN). Click here to read more (external link).

Former UK defence chief urges the West to ‘recognise’ the IEA

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Ariana: The former head of the UK’s armed forces, General Sir David Richards, has called on Western countries to formally recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA). “I think the West is going to end up recognising the Taliban (IEA) government. If that’s the case, then we better get on with it sooner rather than later,” said Richards in a BBC Radio 4 broadcast. Click here to read more (external link).