Local sources in Takhar province report that a Taliban commander of Uzbek descent has been disarmed in the region. Sources informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily on Thursday, April 11, that Taliban border guards and Pashtun militants disarmed Mawlawi Qadir in the Qorogh area of Khwaja Ghar district, Takhar province, after he resisted surrendering his weapons during Eid prayers. According to sources, he faced disarmament after resisting the surrender of his arms during Eid prayers. Sources recount that Taliban border guards, predominantly Pashtun, publicly humiliated Mawlawi Qadir and assaulted his son and nephew.
However, it’s reported that the altercation ceased with the intervention of some local Taliban officials. Mawlawi Qadir also holds the position of Taliban district governor for the Hazar Sumuch district in this province. Although the motive behind this action by Pashtun Taliban border guards remains unclear, one of Mawlawi Qadir’s associates told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that this Uzbek Taliban commander is angered and the confrontation may continue after Eid.
Internal conflicts within the Taliban are not unprecedented; prior clashes occurred between Pashtun commanders and members of this group from other ethnic backgrounds in Takhar, resulting in casualties in some instances.