In Afghanistan's northern province of Baghlan, who's shadow governor was recently captured by Pakistan, infighting broke out between members of the Taliban and their allies Hizb-i-Islami, which is the network of the warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. It's significant, and worth detailing below.
(Also, check the last update. Another prominent Al Qaeda Central figure has been captured.)
It's tough to figure out how many actually died in the fighting in Baghlan. Quqnoos conveys the guess of a local police official who thinks at least 25 militants died in the clash. 40 others were said to be wounded and 15 Hizb-i-Islami fighters are thought to have been captured. Tax collection is listed as a possible reason for the violence, along with "extending power".
It's very important to note that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is widely thought to have flirted with the government about peace and about even tolerating a foreign presence for a limited time. That puts him at odds with the Taliban leadership. It's unknown whether the unprecedented infighting will continue or be a one-time fluke. It's also unknown whether the infighting is somehow related to the reports regarding Hekmatyar's consideration of peace. If rumors about Baradar are true, then we shouldn't be surprised about how the Taliban treats those who wish to make peace.
Speaking of the Taliban, they seem to be getting their asses kicked in the northern agencies of the Federally Aministered Tribal Areas(FATA) of Pakistan. More big fish are reportedly killed in air strikes. Central-FATA seems to be next on the Pakistanis' sights. Southern-FATA, the Wazir/Mullah Nazir regions of South Waziristan and North Waziristan is where al Qaeda Central is thought to be most concentrated and North Waziristan's residents are starting to get very nervous lately for good reason.
To digress back to the Taliban's reported infighting in northern Afghanistan, Xinhua is reporting on the fighting in north-eastern Afghanistan that has allegedly claimed 50 lives according to their sources. The fighting is said to be occurring between the Taliban and "rival militans" although few details are available and no specific province is mentioned. Hekmatyar's network is prominent throughout the north-east. Xinhua is also reporting that twenty members of Hizb-i-Islami have surrendered to the government in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province.
The Taliban haven't been having a good year thus far.
Update:
It's all so very developing. The Associated Press weighs in, adding new details;
Fighting is still taking place over control of several villages in Baghlan province. Fighting is mostly in central Baghlan and concentrated around half a dozen villages in an area outside of the government's control. At least 50 dead. A police official in the province said that the Taliban moved into areas controlled by Hizb-i-Islami, which started the infighting.
Update II;
Per the News;
Up to 60 militants and 19 civilians may have been killed in bloody clashes between rival militant groups in northern Afghanistan, a police official said Sunday.
/skip
"We have intelligence reports that 60 fighters -- 40 (from) Hezb-i-Islami and 20 Taliban -- have died so far. Our reports indicate that up to 19 civilians were also killed," Andarabi said.
Four Hizb-i-Islami commanders surrendered to the government. Security forces may be on the way. Still developing.
Update III, Major Update:
BBC says at least 60 dead mostly Hizb-i-Islami fighters, 50 more of which were captured. 11 commanders from Hizb-i-Islami reportedly have defected to the government. Fighting still continuing.
An al Qaeda commander on the CIA's top ten list has been captured in Karachi, Pakistan. Abu Yahya Azam was reportedly a commander of foreign militants fighting in Afghanistan and considered close to OBL according to Pakistani media. Said to have been arrested with help from US intelligence. Developing.(Dawn, the News) NBC and the AP suggests that it is Adam Yahiye Gadahn, the American traitor. Gadahn just appeared in another AQ video praising Major Nidal Hassan for going on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood.(h/t to Standstrong
In North Waziristan near the main town of Miramshah, a Taliban commander was ambushed by unknown gunmen and killed. The Taliban commander reportedly led approximately 400 men on cross-border attacks against NATO/ISAF forces and allies in Afghanistan.(AP)
The Pakistani army has bombed what they suspect were militant hideouts in the Sararogha region of South Waziristan. People are reported dead but it's early. Still no word on what intelligence led to the strike or any specific target.(Dawn)