KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local sources in northeastern Badakhshan province reported that Taliban authorities have brutally tortured and then beheaded a former soldier in the province.
Speaking with KabulNow today, the sources identified the victim as Mohammad Nabi, originally from Zebak district, who was tortured and beheaded on the night of Sunday, August 18.
According to sources, Mohammad Nabi was a member of the marginalized Ismaili Shia community and served as a member of the ANDSF during the Western-backed republic government.
The Taliban accused the former soldier of collaborating with armed anti-Taliban groups and possessing weapons. However, sources indicated that he was leading a normal life after the collapse of the republic government and had no connections with any groups.
The sources further revealed that a local Taliban commander in Badakhshan, Mullah Moiz, contacted the former soldier multiple times, requesting weapons because of his background as a soldier in the former government.
The Taliban authorities have yet to comment on this incident.
Following their return to power, the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, announced a “general amnesty” for employees of the previous government. Despite this, local commanders and members have continued to carry out revenge attacks, especially targeting former security personnel.
Over the past three years, hundreds of former government officials, members of the previous security forces, and civilians have been detained, tortured, killed, or have disappeared across the country.
In its quarterly report released on Tuesday, July 30, the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented at least 60 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, 10 cases of torture and ill-treatment, and five killings of former soldiers and officials of former government.
Human rights organizations have criticized the Taliban for revenge killing and widespread violation of human rights, calling on the group to respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including former government soldiers.
