KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A former member of Afghanistan’s army has died from injuries sustained after he was severely beaten by Iranian border guards while attempting to enter Iran, local sources reported.
Ahmad Sabour, 39, was detained by Iranian border guards about two weeks ago while trying to cross into Iran and was severely beaten during his detention, the sources said. He died on Thursday at a hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province.
Sabour’s relatives told KabulNow that he was originally from Pashtunkot district in Faryab province, was married and had two children.
Sabour served for years in Afghanistan’s national army under the previous government and received military training in Jordan with U.S. support, according to the sources. After the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, he stopped military activities and fled to Iran, fearing retaliation over his prior service.
He was deported from Iran last year. Facing unemployment and economic hardship common among former security force members, he later tried to re-enter Iran in hopes of finding work and supporting his family, the sources said.
Iranian border guards detained and severely beat him during the attempt, with his legs among the most seriously injured body parts, the sources said.
Afghan citizens then took him to a hospital in Nimroz province for initial treatment. He was later transferred to Maimana and then to Mazar-i-Sharif, but his condition did not improve and he died on Thursday, the sources added.
Afghans continue to leave the country due to economic hardship, limited jobs, political instability and fears of persecution. Some use irregular routes to neighboring countries, often via smugglers. Former members of the previous government and security forces are among those seeking to leave over concerns of Taliban retaliation.
The journey is often dangerous, with dozens of Afghans killed or reported missing while attempting to enter Iran in recent years. Earlier last month, at least 17 Afghan nationals, including five women and six children, died of thirst while trying to cross into Iran’s Sistan and Balochistan province, Iranian outlet Haalvsh reported.
