South Afghanistan’s largest opium-producing region, irrigated by the Helmand River
Lord Justice Haddon-Cave has identified multiple SAS personnel to hear direct evidence on the alleged deliberate detention operations and related killings in Afghanistan. Rule 9 requests have been issued; many witnesses intend to invoke privilege, and the inquiry seeks further testimony and documents.
Pakistan has intensified cross-border strikes into Afghanistan, with official claims of targeting militant sites while Afghan authorities report civilian casualties. The exchanges come amid a broader regional push for mediation, with tensions mounting after a series of border clashes and drone and air attacks.