US Senator Raises Alarm Over China's Expanding Influence In Afghanistan

The Taliban convoy was allegedly targeting girls and detaining them in the Panjsad Family neighbourhood.

According to the AFF, the attack resulted in three Taliban members being killed and two others being injured. Two Taliban ranger vehicles also suffered partial damage.

The Taliban is yet to comment on the incident.

Local sources reported hearing an explosion around 7am on Thursday, in the vicinity of the Panjsad Family intersection, located in Kabul's Police District 15.

The AFF had previously issued a letter from a fighter addressing the women of Afghanistan, condemning the Taliban's arrest of young women for alleged dress code violations. The fighter pledged to stand for women's rights, deeming them as the true owners of Kabul.

This attack comes amidst a new surge of arrests by the Taliban targeting girls and women for “improper hijab”, which has sparked considerable backlash. A Taliban spokesperson claimed these women were briefly detained for dress code violations and subsequently, released.

Reports have also surfaced alleging the Taliban's torture of detained girls and their family members.

Salimi pointed out that the bulk of these investments are centred in Mashhad, largely due to its proximity to the Iran-Afghanistan border.

During his discussion with the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA) on Wednesday, he emphasised on the unique advantages which Afghan businesses offer in Iran, particularly their in-depth understanding of the market and tailored production and export strategies.

He specified that Afghan investors are predominantly engaged in packaging goods in high demand in Afghanistan, such as dried fruits, dried vegetables, and legumes.

Salimi estimated the total foreign investment in Iran for the current year at four billion dollars, with Afghan investors contributing around 15 percent. Of the approximately 700 foreign-invested projects in Iran, Afghan investors manage 150.

Additionally, Salimi noted a surge in truck traffic at the Dogharoun border crossing, where operational hours have been extended from 8 to 16 hours daily. He also confirmed that Afghan investors in Iran possess the necessary residency and work permits.

The incident involved an attempted grenade attack on a Taliban police vehicle. The explosion took place on Wednesday in the Darb-e Khosh area of Herat.

Insaf further added that while the grenade missed its intended target, it caused injuries to civilians who were present in the vicinity.

Following the incident, authorities arrested one individual who is suspected of being involved in the attack.

He asserts that all are held for criminal offenses, denying the presence of any political prisoners.

During an interview with Taliban-controlled Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Badr acknowledged a few foreign prisoners without specifying their numbers. He also noted that 9,000 female police officers are employed in these prisons.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) indicated in June 2023 that around 15,000 individuals were imprisoned by the Taliban. UNAMA's report detailed instances of torture, including electric shocks, inflicted by the Taliban.

A subsequent UNAMA report in September raised concerns over torture in facilities managed by the Taliban's intelligence agency and interior ministry. Despite documented cases of torture, Badr refuted these claims.

Human rights groups have criticized the Taliban's prison system, highlighting detainees' lack of access to fair trials and legal representation.

After declaring a general amnesty in 2021, the Taliban have continued arresting former government staff, military personnel, women's rights activists, journalists, and university professors on various allegations.

The ministry insisted that merely opening new issues without resolving past conflicts will not lead to a solution for Afghanistan's challenges.

On Wednesday, the ministry called for Afghanistan's prompt involvement in international frameworks and underscored the formation of Iran's regional contact group dedicated to Afghan affairs.

In a related development, Iran's representative in Kabul critiqued the appointment of the new United Nations representative for Afghanistan, labeling it "inappropriate." The ministry underscored that Afghanistan's approach to aligning with neighboring countries will set the stage for its role in the global system.

The Foreign Ministry proposed that practical and reassuring outcomes should precede the adoption of new "gender-focused" approaches in addressing Afghanistan's persistent issues. The statement emphasized the need for the United Nations to prioritize stability, security, and humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan and the surrounding region.

Furthermore, the ministry warned of severe consequences for international peace and security if the current challenges in Afghanistan are not successfully navigated.

Despite not officially recognizing the Taliban, Iran has deepened its political, diplomatic, and economic ties with the group over the past two years, with Iranian officials stating they will maintain relations despite the lack of formal recognition.