The Taliban’s chief of army Staff, Fasiuddin Fitrat, says the group’s Ministry of Defense has decided to recruit young men from districts of Badakhshan located near the Durand Line with Pakistan into the Taliban army.
Fitrat told the pro-Taliban Hurriyat Radio that the recruitment process for new troops has begun, with the Taliban army focusing primarily on districts that share a border with Pakistan.
The Taliban Ministry of Defense’s Recruitment and Enlistment Command also said in a notice that eligible young men from the Badakhshan districts of Pamir, Wakhan, Ishkashim, Zebak, and Kuran wa Munjan can join the Taliban army.
Fitrat said that a decision on where the recruits will be deployed will be made after they complete their training. According to him, the newly recruited troops may be stationed in border areas or in other parts of Afghanistan.
The decision comes amid an increase in clashes in recent weeks between the Taliban and armed opponents in parts of Badakhshan, particularly in Zebak district.
The Taliban have claimed that armed opponents crossed into Zebak district from Pakistani territory and attacked Taliban checkpoints. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan has also claimed responsibility for an attack in the area.
During a visit to Zebak district, Fitrat claimed that Taliban opponents had obtained weapons and military equipment in Pakistan before crossing into Afghanistan. He said that following the clashes, some of the opponents were killed, while others were forced to retreat to the Shah Salim area of Pakistan.
The Taliban’s Chief of Army Staff also alleged that Pakistan intends to use these individuals against the Taliban.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
