Afghanistan: Roadside bomb kills security force member in Jalalabad September 15

Event

A member of the National Security Directorate (NDS) was killed and three others wounded after a roadside bomb detonated in Jalalabad (Nangarhar province) on Tuesday, September 15. The vehicle carrying the NDS personnel reportedly struck the device on Angoor Bagh road in the Police District 2 (PD2) area of the city at around 10:00 (local time). In a separate incident, a university professor was reportedly shot dead outside their home in Nangarhar's Khugiyani district by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday. No group has claimed responsibility for either incident; however, they coincide with current peace talks between the government and the Taliban in Qatar.

Further attacks are possible in Nangarhar province over the near term as some elements may look to derail the ongoing peace talks.

Context

Taliban militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of the ANSF - and the Afghan government more broadly - to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country.

Peace talks between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban opened in Qatar on Saturday, September 12. The talks were originally set to take place ion March but have been repeatedly delayed due to stalling negotiations over a prisoner exchange agreement made as part of a US-Taliban deal signed in February.

Advice

Those in Afghanistan are advised to avoid the affected areas, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.