Recent Appearances...

Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !
Recent Appearances...

Khairullah Kherkhawa

Taliban

Afghanistan/South Asia

20020215

India-Pakistan

Gunmen kill at least 20 miners in Balochistan

2024-10-12

[BBC] Gunmen have killed at least 20 people at a coal mine in Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan, according to local police.

The attackers stormed the workers' accommodation at the Junaid Coal Company mines in the province's Duki district in the early hours of Friday morning, rounded the men up and opened fire.

A hospital in Duki has received 20 bodies and is treating six injured people, reported Reuters.

The workers were attacked with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers and grenades, police said, while one survivor described seeing a drone overhead.

Subcontractor Hafeezullah told the BBC he spotted the drone and its red light as he and a number of others hid in the bathroom.

“When the attackers got closer they shouted ‘we told you to stop work here, why didn’t you?’,” he told the BBC. He said the attackers spoke in Pashto. “Then they opened fire.”

Hafeezullah estimates the attack, which he says started just after midnight, lasted for about an hour and a half, during which time machinery was set alight. He also heard loud explosions, which he thinks were grenades exploding.

Asim Shafi, police chief in Duki district, confirmed to news agency AFP both hand grenades and rocket launchers were used in the attack, which is believed to have been carried out by as many as 40 people who then disappeared "into the night".

Police confirmed that four of the victims were Afghans, while the rest of the men were from Pashto-speaking areas of Balochistan.

Hafeezullah says he lost several friends in the attack.

"When I left, there were people lying on the ground," he said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the killings so far. In the past, the separatist Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has carried out several deadly attacks in the province.

Mine owner Khairullah Nasar told news agency Reuters they had been getting "threats from the militants for some time, but there was no information about the attack".

Friday's attack is the latest to be carried out in recent days, and comes just ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a major security summit being hosted in the Pakistani capital Islamabad next week.

Link

Home Front: Politix

Rep. Bill Pascrell, 87, easily fends off NJ primary challenge from far-left, anti-Israel candidate

2024-06-06

[NYPOST] Longtime Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) defeated an anti-Israel New Jersey mayor in the Garden State’s 9th Congressional District Democratic primary Tuesday, a race that centered on divisions over the Israel-Hamas
Hamas

..a regional Iranian catspaw,...
war.

Pascrell, 87, beat Prospect Park Mayor Mohammed Khairullah for the Democratic nomination for Congress by a whopping 54-point margin, receiving 77% of the vote with more than three-quarters of ballots in.

The 14-term House member — first elected to Congress in 1996 — has been a staunch supporter of Israel, declaring last December that Israelis "have every right to protect themselves and defend themselves" in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on the Jewish state.

Link

-Lurid Crime Tales-

Bowe Bergdahl court-martial conviction for Army desertion thrown out by federal judge

2023-07-26

[FOX] A former U.S. Army soldier who pleaded guilty to desertion after leaving his post while deployed in Afghanistan and was subsequently captured and tortured by the Taliban had his court-martial conviction vacated Tuesday.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington D.C. said that military judge Jeffrey Nance, who presided over the court-martial of Bowe Bergdahl,

...that’s former Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who deliberately left his base to meet up with the Taliban in 2009, for which he was charged with desertion and some other things before President Obama decided to trade him for some high value Talibs who were taking up space in Guantanamo. After five years as a Taliban prisoner he was traded for Mohammad Fazl, Khairullah Khairkhwa, Abdul Haq Wasiq, Norullah Noori, and Mohammad Nabi Omari. All five went on to high positions in the Taliban government...

failed to disclose that he had applied to the executive branch for a job as an immigration judge, creating a potential conflict of interest.

Link

Afghanistan

Daily Evacuation Brief December 4, 2022

2022-12-04

[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS

EXPLOSION IN JALALABAD – A blast was reported in Jalalabad’s fourth district on Saturday, near the Sikh Temple (Darmsal). 6 non-combatants were reportedly injured. The circumstances around the explosion are not currently known and no further information was available.

SUSPECT IN PAKISTAN EMBASSY ATTACK REPORTEDLY DETAINED – Sources in Pakistan have confirmed that a man who is thought to have participated in the attacks on the Pakistan Charge d’Affaires and its diplomatic facilities was arrested by Taliban authorities. The Taliban used a phone number to track the man’s location and raided a building adjacent to the Embassy. Upon entry, they discovered the man attempting to escape and quickly arrested him. The room was on the 8th floor of the building and was wired with three separate explosives and contained multiple weapons. In an unconfirmed report, Taliban Police are said to have arrested another co-conspirator but no details were provided. In both situations, the electronic devices of both men were said to be recovered intact and may lead to further arrests.

FORMER PRESIDENT KARZAI TRAVELS TO THE UAE AND GERMANY – This is Karzai’s first international trip since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. There was some controversy over earlier trips that had reportedly been planned by the former President. In those instances, the Taliban reputedly denied his request to travel for unspecified reasons. Karzai is traveling to seek medical treatment in Germany and his purpose for visiting the UAE is not known.

BERGDAHL EXCHANGE SITE TO BE MADE INTO A MONUMENT – The Taliban held a ceremony and the Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, laid the first stone of a proposed monument to freedom that is expected to be built on the site. The 5 prisoners the Obama administration exchanged for US Army Sergeant Bergdahl

...that’s Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who deliberately left his base to meet up with the Taliban in 2009, for which he was charged with desertion and some other things before President Obama decided to trade him for some high value Talibs who were taking up space in Guantanamo. After five years as a Taliban prisoner he was traded for Mohammad Fazl, Khairullah Khairkhwa, Abdul Haq Wasiq, Norullah Noori, and Mohammad Nabi Omari...

are all currently serving in high positions in the nascent regime.
How proud former president Obama must feel. If any of our ghosts in the night happen to be in the area, perhaps they could pay them a visit.

CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS MAKE THEIR CASE FOR THE TALIBAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY – Conferences were held in Herat and Nimroz with hundreds of civil society activists and leaders in attendance. At least half of the attendees at both gatherings were women. The activists used the events to voice their concerns about several issues facing the civil population. The chief complaint focused on the Taliban’s stance with regard to women. The Taliban’s response to the events was muted and neutral. A series of similarly-themed nationwide gatherings have been planned.

NEXT 24 HOURS

SECURITY OPERATIONS IN KABUL TO CONTINUE – Interrogations of the two men the Taliban have taken into custody are expected to reveal others who may have been involved in the plot. As a result, additional clearing operations are expected to take place in and around Kabul.

WINTER SLOWS DOWN RESISTANCE ACTIVITIES – Sources close to the NRF and two other Resistance groups claim they will limit operations as winter descends on the country. While some operations are expected to continue, they will likely focus on limited objectives and serve as a means of harassing Taliban forces. The majority of these operations are expected to take place in mainly urban areas. A source in the Ministry of Defense has suggested the Taliban security forces in the North have focused on improving defensive positions around their garrisons in the North and do not anticipate launching major offensive operations over the course of the colder months. Poor weather will limit the ability to use air assets to support attacks and/or respond to Resistance incursions. Terrorism activity is expected to continue throughout the Winter months and is expected to focus on high-priority targets located in urban areas and power distribution networks.

CENTRAL BANK AUCTION – Da Afghanistan Bank has nearly doubled the frequency with which it is auctioning US dollars. On Sunday, it will auction approximately $15 million dollars.

Link

Afghanistan

Taliban’s caretaker cabinet to last for six months, more about key members

2021-09-10

[KhaamaPress] Former officials of the Taliban
Taliban

...Arabic for students...
believe that the newly announced cabinet of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will last for six months and then the official cabinet will be announced.

The former official has said that the official cabinet will be announced based on the votes and willingness of the Afghan people and will include all classes.

A 33-member all-men caretaker cabinet which was announced on Tuesday, September 7 has triggered mixed reactions inside Afghanistan.

A number of Afghan leaders who are in exile have reacted to the cabinet as being monopolized by a single ethnic group (Pashtoon) and have asked the international community not to recognize as the Taliban will threaten the region and world.

Son of the slain Ahmad Shah Masoud, Ahmad Masoud has called the cabinet illegal and said that they will declare a parallel government which will be transitional and democratic.

On the other hand, political analysts in Afghanistan believe the cabinet to be much required in the current situation in order for the lives of people to come to normal.

They believe that the Taliban want to assess their capacity and see what the possible international and internal reactions are to the caretaker cabinet.

Former Taliban officials believe that the official cabinet of the Taliban will include women, experts and will be all-inclusive.

More about the interim government

[ToloNews] The Taliban
...Arabic for students...
's new government in Afghanistan will be led by the Taliban leader Mullah pkesman for the Taliban, said that the group will reject foreigners’ intervention over the name and structure of the next government.

"We will not allow anyone to interfere in Afghanistan’s affairs. The government name, its type, and form belong to the Afghans and they will decide," Mujahid said.

The Taliban also said the new government is the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."

"The new government in Afghanistan has officially started its work under the name of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission.

In the new cabinet announced on Tuesday, Mullah Hassan Akhundzada was appointed as the head of state (prime minister), with Mullah Baradar and Mawlawi Hannafi as his deputies.

A short biography of the key members:

Among those named for the new cabinet are members of the Taliban negotiating team in Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
and some who were imprisoned in the US's Guantanamo detention center.

Mullah Hassan Akhundzada, 65, who is the Prime Minister (head of state) is originally from Shah Walikot district of Kandahar province. Akhundzada held various posts during the first Taliban regime--lasting between 1996 and 2001--such as foreign minister, governor of Kandahar and as a military official in the north of Afghanistan.

Abdul Ghani Barader, 45, a co-founder of the Taliban led by Mullah Mohammad Blinky Omar

...a minor Pashtun commander in the war against the Soviets who made good as leader of the Taliban. As ruler of Afghanistan, he took the title Leader of the Faithful. The imposition of Pashtunkhwa on the nation institutionalized ignorance and brutality in a country already notable for its own fair share of ignorance and brutality. Died of an unspecified ailment in a Pak hospital...
, is from Dehrawood district of Uruzgan province. He graduated from a religious madrasa.

Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob, acting minister for the Defense Ministry, is the son of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar. He is 25 years old and from Dehrawood district in Uruzgan.

The acting Director of Intelligence is Abdul Haq Wasiq, 49, from Khogyani district in Ghazni. He graduated from a madrasa in Quetta, Pakistain. Wasiq was in the US's Guantanamo detention center for 13 years and worked as deputy director of intelligence in the previous Taliban regime.

The acting minister of interior, Serajuddin Haqqani, is the son of the late Jalaluddin Haqqani
...founder and until he pegged out titular head of the Haqqani Network. Jalaluddin was one of the few Pashtun warlords who was worth spit...
, who led the Haqqani Network.

Mullah Amir Khan Mutaqi, acting minister for foreign affairs, is from Zurmat district of Paktia province. He was working as minister of information and culture in the first Taliban regime.

The acting minister of information and culture, Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, 53, is from Kandahar province. He spent 12 years in Guantanamo.

The acting minister of justice, Mawllawi Abdul Hakim Haqqani, 53, is from Maiwand district of Kandahar. He graduated from a Pak madrasa and worked in judicial organizations.

The acting minister of borders and tribal affairs, Mullah Noorullah Noori, 53, is from Zabul Province. He was governor of Balkh and Laghman
...Afghan province with a population of about 445,600, which is multi-ethnic and mostly a rural society. During the invasions of Alexander the Great, the area was known as Lampaka, wich is apparently Olde Macedonian for Laghman.The city of Mihtarlam serves as the bucolic capital of the province. The population is half Pashtun, the remainder Tadjik and Pashai. It had a repution for great wealth until it was conquered in the tenth century by Abu Mansur Sabuktigin.

He conquered it and set fire to the places in its vicinity which were inhabited by infidels, and demolishing the idol-temples, he established Islam in them, He marched and captured other cities and killed the polluted wretches, destroying the idolatrous and gratifying the Musulmans. After wounding and killing beyond all measure, his hands and those of his friends became cold in counting the value of the plundered property.

After that it was mostly notable for the production of dirt, rocks, and holy men...
provinces in the first Taliban regime. He spent 13 years in Guantanamo.

Al Ahram adds:

A Taliban interim government, drawn exclusively from loyalist ranks, formally began work this week with established hardliners in all key posts and no women -- despite previous promises of an inclusive administration for all Afghans.

All the top positions have been handed to key leaders from the movement and in particular the Haqqani network -- the most violent Taliban faction, known for devastating attacks.

The dreaded Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice -- previously responsible for arresting and punishing people for failing to follow the movement's restrictive interpretation of sharia -- is being reinstated.

Link

Afghanistan

Abdullah, Karzai, Taliban discuss inclusive political process

2021-08-23

[Khaama (Afghanistan)] Key members of Taliban
...Arabic for students...
’s leadership and members of Taliban’s political office based in Doha met with former president Hamid Maybe I'll join the Taliban Karzai
...One of the more egregious mistakes of the post 9-11 era...
and head of high council for national reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah

...the former foreign minister of the Northern Alliance government, advisor to Masood, and candidate for president against both Karzai and Ghani. Dr. Abdullah was born in Kabul and is half Tadjik and half Pashtun. He also held the meaningless salaried sop position as CEO of Afghanistan, while Ghani was president...
.Shahabuddin Delawar, Abdulsalam Hanafi, Khairullah Khairkhaw, and Abdurahman Feda recently arrived in Kabul along with the head of the Taliban’s political office and co-founder of the Taliban Mullah Abdullah Ghani Baradar.

They firstly landed in Kandahar province from the Qatar
...an emirate on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It sits on some really productive gas and oil deposits, which produces the highest per capita income in the world. They piss it all away on religion, financing the Moslem Brotherhood and several al-Qaeda affiliates. Home of nutbag holy manYusuf al-Qaradawi...
i capital two days after the Taliban grabbed control of Kabul.

Baradar is presently in Kabul but has not met with the trio-Karzai, Abdullah and Hekmatyar.

Hours after former president Ashraf Ghani
...former chancellor of Kabul University, ex-president of Afghanistan. Before returning to Afghanistan in 2002 he was a scholar of political science and anthropology. He worked at the World Bank working on international development assistance. As Finance Minister of Afghanistan between July 2002 and December 2004, he led Afghanistan's attempted economic recovery until the Karzais stole all the money. When Biden abandoned the country left with a helicopter, four cars, and part of the national treasury...
fled the country, Hamid Karzai, Abdullah Abdullah, and Gulbadin Hekmatyar jointly shaped a council that aimed at negotiating with the Taliban.

Karzai and Abdullah though hold frequent meetings both with the Taliban leaders and other tribal leaders inside Afghanistan, Gulbadin Hekmatyar is yet to be seen in a joint meeting with the former two.

Saturday’s meeting with the three key members of the Taliban was focused on Afghanistan’s ongoing situation, security of people, all-inclusive political process, and the national flag and other national values.

The office of Abdullah Abdullah said that the negotiations were fruitful.

Link

Afghanistan

Robert Spencer: Taliban Leader Obama/Biden Released from GITMO in Swap for Deserter Bergdahl Just Resurfaced

2021-08-18

[PJMedia] It was one of the worst trades in history: Back in 2014, Barack Obama
I am the change that you seek...

And now Khairullah Khairkhwa, one of the jihadis Obama traded for Bergdahl, is among the Taliban leadership that just took Kabul.

traded five Taliban
...Arabic for students...
commanders for one American who, we were led to believe, had been captured by the Taliban. Obama did all he could to make the swap seem noble: He said at the time that the recovery of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was "a reminder of America’s unwavering commitment to leave no man or woman in uniform behind on the battlefield," and the five Taliban jihadis were sent to Qatar

Link

Afghanistan

Taliban’s delegation visiting China

2021-07-29

[KhaamaPress] The Taliban
...Arabic for students...
’s political office spokesperson Naeem Wardak in a Twitter post said that a nine-member delegation led by the head of office Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar visited China on Tuesday.

The Taliban delegation is visiting China on a two-day trip and met with the foreign minister of China, Wang Yi, reads the tweet.

As per Naeem Wardak, the delegation includes, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Suhail Shaheen, Abdulsalaam Hanafi, Khairullah Khairkhaw, Shahabudeen Delawar, Matiullah Khales, Emar Yaser, Nebrasulhaq Aziz, and the spokesperson himself.

The visit is said to be aimed at discussing bilateral relations with China, the grinding of the peace processor, and other relevant issues.

Naeem Wardak in a series of Twitter posts said that the delegation has assured China that they-Taliban- will not pose any threat to neighboring countries and China has also pledged not to interfere in other’s internal issues and will contribute to the grinding of the peace processor of Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s last visit was that to Russia after a meeting with the Afghan government delegation in the Iranian capital Tehran.

The group’s high-level meeting with the Afghan delegation led by Abdullah Abdullah

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
has reached out to the Chinese to help it expand its footprint in Afghanistan. The same was conveyed by Taliban leader, Mullah Baradar during a meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi held on July 27.

The assurance from the Taliban that it will not allow Afghanistan to be used against third country come in the backdrop of reports stating that Pakistain has been using the Lashkar-e-Tayiba fight in the country. New Delhi has been raising this issue of ungoverned territory in Afghanistan by the international terror groups.

Afghan officials have said that Pakistain has been shifting its terror groups into Afghanistan for over an year now. Afghanistan's Caped President, had also slammed Pakistain in the presence of its Prime Minister, Imran Khan
...aka The Great Khan, who isn't your heaviest-duty thinker, maybe not even among the top five...
at the connectivity meeting held at Uzbekistan.

Further more proof of Pakistain sending its turbans comes from the fact that several persons who had died in recent times along with the Taliban fighters had a Pakistain identity card on them.

Link

Afghanistan

Afghan Forces Retake District in Parwan

2021-07-18

[ToloNews] The Afghan National Security and Defense Forces retook the control of Sheikh Ali district in Parwan province in central Afghanistan, security officials said Saturday.

There are reports that the Taliban
Taliban

...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
has taken over Dand district in the southern province of Kandahar.

Security officials have said that fighting continues in 15 provinces including Taluqan city, Maimana city, Kandahar and Gahzni provinces.

"This war is not only the Taliban war, but it is a great conspiracy of the region, we will fight against it," said Khair Mohammad Taimoor, police commander of Takhar.

"The enemy suffered casualties and retreated. We cleared surrounding areas of the city," said Fida Mohammad, the commander of Afghan Special Forces
...established in 2007 with the intent of taking one conventional infantry kandak (battalion) from each of the regional ANA corps, giving them special training and equipment, and reorganizing based on the U.S. Army Rangers. Each battalion is assigned to one of the six regional corps. The commandos comprise 7% of the Afghan National Security Forces but conduct 70% to 80% of the fighting...
in Takhar.

According to the Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD), 284 Taliban fighters have been killed and over 200 more maimed in different parts of the country in the past 24 hours.

"Fighting is underway in the suburbs of the city, the people in Taluqan city are in fear during the nights," said Arian, a resident in Taluqan city, the center of Takhar province in the northern Afghanistan.

"We call on the government to take Takhar out of this chaos," said a resident of Taluqan Ahmad Zia.

Meanwhile,
...back at the shouting match, Bart was wondering if fisticuffs would be appropriate at this point...
residents in Faryab have also expressed concerns over the fragile security situation.

"The situation in Faryab is very critical, unfortunately 14 districts of Faryab have collapsed," said a resident in Faryab Khairullah Shuja.

"The situation is very tense, the war rages on inside the city," said a resident in Maimana Jawed.

In the southern Afghanistan, there are reports that the Taliban have taken the control of Dand district.

"We have the military advancement continues so that the way is paved for the recapture of other districts," said Fazluddin Ayyar, the governor of Parwan.

Some politicians in Afghanistan’s parliament meanwhile casted doubts over the collapse of districts in the southern Kandahar province.

"Kandahar has suffered political collapse. Several districts collapsed in one phone call," said MP Khan Agha Rezayee.

Afghan government statistics show that 284 Taliban fighters were killed and 205 more were maimed in 15 provinces of the country in the past 24 hours. But Taliban has rejected the figures.

Link

Afghanistan

Ghani: Security Situation Will Improve in 3 Months

2021-07-14

[ToloNews] As most of the northern provinces are witnessing heavy festivities between government forces and the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
, President Ghani said during a visit to Balkh province that "the Taliban’s backbone will be broken" and all areas captured by the group will be retaken soon.

President Ghani visited Balkh province on Tuesday to review the northern provinces' security situation and said that the security situation across the country will improve significantly in the next three months.

President Ghani's trip to Balkh comes as heavy festivities are underway between government forces and Taliban in most of the northern provinces, including Balkh.

During the trip President Ghani met with a number of civil society activists, women's rights activists, and journalists, and stressed the need for national cohesion and unity in the country.

"The Afghan government's plan to stabilize the whole situation is still in effect. The president had a meeting with the youth, women, Ulema, and teachers moments ago, and the details we have about it--about economic and security issues--will be shared soon," said Fazel Mahmoud Fazli, head of the Administrative Office of the President.

In the last month the capitals of 9 districts of Balkh province fell to the Taliban and the Taliban got closer to the gates of Mazar-e-Sharif, the center of Balkh.

Following the escalation of Taliban attacks in Balkh, residents of the province took up arms to support the defense and security forces in fighting against the Talibs.

Mohammad Farhad Azimi, the governor of Balkh, said: "A delegation from the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, the National Directorate of Security
...the Afghan national intel agency...
and also from the Security Council accompany him on this trip."

He added: "They will discuss and exchange views on a better security plan for the protection of Hairatan Crossing and other lost districts as well."

With the president's visit to Balkh, the city of Mazar-e-Sharif became semi-closed, and the roads leading to Balkh province were blocked. Residents of Mazar-e-Sharif criticized the road closures, saying they had faced many problems.

Abdul Qayyum, a resident of Mazar-e-Sharif, said: "They are welcome but roads in Mazar-e-Sharif city and in the rest of the province are closed to traffic and people. Instead of giving us bread and water, they took it from us."

Khairullah, one of the drivers in Mazar-e-Sharif, said that if he met the president he would say to him: "You are the president, will you find a piece of bread for us or you would take the bread from us, the bread that costs us the callouses on our hands?"

President Ghani assured the people of Afghanistan that the security situation in the country will improve within the next three months.

Link

Afghanistan

ANDSF operation in Balkh claims Taliban commander

2021-03-04

[KhaamaPress] Security sources in Balkh reported that a Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
leader and his bodyguard were killed in the province.

The 209th Shaheen Corps in a released statement on Wednesday said, that a key Taliban commander named "Khairullah" was killed at around 9:00 am in a skirmish between the Afghan national defense and security forces and Taliban fighters.

According to the statement the battle took place in the village of Sayak in the Koshenda district of Balkh province.

Khairullah’s brother was detained and his body was killed during ANDSF offensives and two other Taliban fighters were maimed, the statement added.

This comes as explosions and assassinations in the capital and other provinces have increased as efforts for peace continue.

Link

Afghanistan

“Twin” Blasts Claimed Civilian Lives: Ghor Province

2020-10-01

[KhaamaPress] Sources in Ghor province say that two separate explosions killed three civilians, including a woman, in the province.

"Two men and a woman were killed when two roadside kabooms went kaboom! in the district", said Mohammad Musa Kalim, the governor of Ghor district.

Kaleem said that the first explosion took place yesterday evening in the direction of the Dawlatyar Awlad Khairullah area of the district, in which a vehicle collided with an IED, killing the driver.

According to him, the second explosion occurred this morning when a man and a woman wanted to attend the funeral of the killed driver, who was close to them, but were hit by another roadside kaboom and were immediately killed.

The governor of Ghor said the roadside kaboomings are the works of the Taliban
Taliban

...mindless ferocity in a turban...
and that they could not confront the security forces, but are trying to target security forces and civilians by planting roadside kabooms.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the incident.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/rantburg/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More