KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Taliban intelligence agents have detained five people, including three former soldiers, in northeastern Takhar province, accusing them of collaborating with armed resistance groups.
Local source identified four of these individuals as Islamuddin Azizi, Saadat, Sayed Muqim, and Essa. They were detained in the capital city of Taleqan on Wednesday, July 31.
Another source informed KabulNow that Islamuddin Azizi, a former police officer, was severely injured while attempting to escape and was shot by Taliban agents. According to this source, he is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Kunduz province.
The Taliban accused them of collaborating with armed anti-Taliban groups. However, sources said that this accusation is based on false information, as all the individuals, including the former soldiers, were leading normal lives with no connections to any groups.
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.
For nearly 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.
Last week, Taliban agents detained two former soldiers, Essa Khan and Rajab Ali, in Takhar province, accusing them of collaborating with the National Resistance Front (NRF), an armed resistance group.
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.
