Local sources in Badakhshan province say that Taliban intelligence forces have detained a former government security officer in Shaki district. According to the sources, the former officer was a supporter of Jumah Khan Fateh, a dissident Taliban figure in Badakhshan.
Sources said on Friday, 23 Asad [August 14], that Taliban intelligence forces detained the former officer, along with several residents of Shaki district, on Thursday and transferred them to an undisclosed location. No further information has so far emerged regarding the fate or whereabouts of those detained.
According to the sources, the former officer, identified as Jalil, had been working at the Qatqati gold mine in Shaki district in recent months. Sources close to him said that Jalil had previously stated that, in the event of a confrontation, he would support Jumah Khan Fateh with a force of 150 people.
The sources said that following Jalil’s detention, several local influential figures went to the Taliban district governor’s office and called for his release. However, the Taliban have not released the former officer and have not commented on the reason for his detention.
The sources added that before the fall of the former republic, Jalil served as a security chief in one of Kabul’s security districts and had held several other military positions.
According to reports, the former officer returned to Afghanistan from Iran about a year ago and, after his return, began working at the Qatqati gold mine in Shaki district.
Several residents of the Darwaz districts said that the Taliban have intensified the detention of former security personnel and individuals believed to be close to Jumah Khan Fateh in recent weeks. Local sources report that such detentions are continuing in parts of Badakhshan.
The detention comes amid escalating clashes in parts of Badakhshan between forces affiliated with Jumah Khan Fateh and Taliban forces. However, there is no independent information confirming a direct link between the recent detention and the ongoing clashes.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
