Taliban Introduces New Restriction On Attire For Athletes

Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed on 3 January 2020, near Baghdad International Airport in an American airstrike.

The blasts occurred on the route to the 'Kerman Martyrs' Cemetery,' where Soleimani is buried. Tasnim News Agency described the explosions as 'massive' and reported the immediate response of security forces. It was noted that two bomb-laden bags were found at the cemetery's entrance and were likely detonated remotely.

Babak Yektafar, the spokesperson for Iran's National Medical Emergency Organisation, noted that some of the injured are in critical condition, raising concerns about an increase in the death toll.

The Deputy for Political and Security Affairs of Kerman Governorate labelled the explosions as 'terrorist' acts. No group has yet claimed responsibility for these incidents, which took place during the anniversary ceremony of Soleimani's killing.

In a statement on Wednesday, the NRF reported that on Tuesday night at 9pm in Badakhshan, the governor's office of the Taliban was targeted with rocket attacks, resulting in injuries of two members of the group.

The NRF added that in a separate attack, the front’s forces detonated a car carrying Taliban members in Pul-e Khumri city, the capital of Baghlan province, around 7:30 on Tuesday night. In this explosion, two Taliban members were killed, and one fighter of this group was injured.

The front added that its forces remained unharmed in these operations.

However, the Taliban has not responded to the NRF’s claim. Earlier, the front also reported the killing of a Taliban fighter in a clash in Kunduz on Tuesday.

Recently, the NRF published its six-month report, claiming that during this period, it conducted 90 attacks on the Taliban and killed 128 members of this group.

The front wrote on X social media platform that one Taliban member has been killed and two others got injured as the result of the attack.

According to the front, this attack resulted in a conflict; however, the forces of the front remained unharmed.

The Taliban has not commented on the incident yet.

He was attacked on Monday whilst returning from Maimana city to his residence in the Daryacha-i-Gorzad area.

Taliban local officials have confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation is underway.

This killing adds to a series of mysterious deaths involving members of the former Afghan government's security forces since the Taliban's takeover. International human rights organisations have pointed to a pattern of detentions, torture, and killings of these individuals, accusing the Taliban of involvement.

In response, the Taliban has denied such allegations, attributing most of these deaths to personal or familial disputes rather than political motives.

These individuals, detained from shops and streets, were reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Two independent sources confirmed the arrest of three girls in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul city. Owing to the sensitive nature of the situation, the girls' families have chosen to remain anonymous.

On Monday, Taliban officials were seen enforcing hijab compliance in various areas in Kabul. A Taliban member from Kabul's 13th police district relayed a message from the Ministry of Affairs, stating that women failing to wear the Islamic hijab as prescribed would be apprehended. According to the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, non-compliant women will be detained at police stations and must have relatives assure future compliance to secure their release.

Despite acknowledging the arrests as regrettable, the Taliban member emphasised the importance of following the hijab mandate. Additionally, reports from western Kabul indicate that private school teachers are warning female students about being barred from classes for not meeting hijab requirements.

This enforcement follows a 2022 directive by the Taliban, threatening 'punishment' and a three-day imprisonment for relatives of women who do not comply with hijab standards. Government employees face dismissal for non-compliance. The directive specifies that the hijab must cover all but the eyes.