Taliban fighters clashed with forces loyal to a dissident commander of the group in Badakhshan yesterday, in Nusay district of the province, following months of standoff. Taliban special forces units clashed with fighters of Juma Khan Fateh, the group’s dissident commander, resulting in the deaths of seven Taliban special forces personnel and the wounding of 11 others. Additionally, one of Juma Khan Fateh’s fighters was killed, and three others were wounded. According to sources, the Taliban special forces deployed in Nusay district had, for a long time, been assessing the military equipment and weapons under Juma Khan Fateh’s control in various villages before entering the clash. Sources say the fighting began after Taliban forces attempted to transfer military equipment and vehicles belonging to Fateh from the villages of Radoj and Zaghar, and that the situation in Nusay remains tense and on high alert. Juma Khan Fateh had previously fled Taliban surveillance while he was in Kabul.
Sources in Badakhshan province say that the Taliban, using intelligence operations and by paying money to certain outsiders present in the area as miners and shopkeepers, have also identified individuals close to and trusted by Juma Khan Fateh. According to sources, Taliban special forces units had established bases in mosques, schools and clinics, and by causing disturbances for residents, patrolled the alleys and areas around the district center every night, both on foot and using military vehicles. Sources add that residents had repeatedly complained to the district administration about this situation, but their complaints went unaddressed.
Sources further add that individuals affiliated with Juma Khan Fateh who occasionally traveled to the district center were also interrogated. Additionally, civilians were questioned and interrogated at the group’s checkpoints when traveling outside the district and villages, a situation that, according to sources, had pushed residents to their limit.
According to sources, over the past week, Taliban forces had been traveling to the villages of Qoghuz, Radoj and Zaghar, which were considered areas of movement and maneuver for Juma Khan Fateh. Sources say that, based on the information available to them, Taliban forces intended to identify and seize Juma Khan Fateh’s military vehicles and equipment in these areas.
Sources also say that in recent days, a sum of money and mobile phones belonging to Abdul Fatah, Juma Khan Fateh’s brother, were stolen in the district center. Sources say that after the thief was arrested, Juma Khan Fateh demanded that his hand be cut off, but the individual was released, an action that, according to sources, further increased Juma Khan Fateh’s anger and discontent.
Sources say that on August 11, members of the group began interrogating residents along the Qoghuz to Nusay route. Additionally, a group of 20 Taliban forces had gone to Zaghar village to transfer two tanks, nine Ranger vehicles, and personal vehicles belonging to Juma Khan Fateh from the villages of Radoj and Zaghar, but they were not permitted to do so, and the situation gradually took on a military character. According to sources, following gunfire by Taliban special forces units at civilians, an armed clash began, resulting in the deaths of seven Taliban special forces personnel and the wounding of 11 others.
Sources further add that six Taliban forces who had been captured during the clash were released today through the mediation of the district governor, but Juma Khan Fateh’s men have so far not permitted the transfer of the bodies of the deceased to the clinic. Additionally, according to sources, one of Juma Khan Fateh’s men was also killed in the clash in Shakh-e Dar village, and three others were wounded.
Sources emphasize that the situation currently remains military in nature and on high alert. The Taliban district governor in Nusay and the group’s command have summoned several tribal elders to the center to mediate between the two sides to end the tension, but access routes on both sides remain closed to residents so far.
Sources state that Taliban helicopters have been dispatched to the area to transport the dead and wounded, and a delegation of the group’s officials has also traveled from Faizabad to the location. Nevertheless, Juma Khan Fateh’s men, who have been pushed to their limit by this situation, are prepared in the districts of Nusay, Shaki and Maimay to defend themselves should pressure increase.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
درگیری طالبان در بدخشان؛ جنگ در نسی چگونه کلید خورد؟
