8am: Concerns are rising among residents of Khost Province over the increase in targeted killings and criminal incidents in the region. Many accuse the Taliban of incompetence in providing security and emphasize that most of these incidents occur near Taliban checkpoints. According to these residents, the Taliban are incapable of controlling criminal activities and targeted killings. Simultaneously, some sources claim that the Taliban are involved in systematic killings and massacres of former security forces personnel, targeting them under the guise of unidentified armed individuals. Click here to read more (external link).