Panjshir province, though not vast in geographical size, has emerged as a significant landmark due to its role in recent developments in Afghanistan over the past few decades. Events unfolding in this region now capture the attention of many. Following the fall of the Afghan government in August 2021, Panjshir once again became the center of attention as numerous opponents of the Taliban pinned their hopes on this area. Nevertheless, the Taliban’s meticulous planning and persistent efforts led to the dismantling of the opposition in this province. The killing of Commander Malik and his companions at the heights of Abdullah Khel in the Dara district in August 2022 further weakened resistance in Panjshir. As a result, prominent commanders and anonymous soldiers opposing the Taliban gradually sought refuge in neighboring countries. For months, no armed opposition against the group’s rule has occurred in Panjshir province. However, certain commanders from the so-called National Resistance Front (NRF) occasionally assert their presence by sharing photos or videos on Facebook, showcasing their activities in various ways.
During the height of the National Resistance Front (NRF)’s activities, the people of Panjshir province endured challenging days and nights as Taliban militants subjected them to various pressures, ranging from insults, humiliation, and privacy violations to imprisonment and killings. Subsequently, there has been a slight change in the Taliban’s behavior towards the people of Panjshir. However, residents of the province continue to voice their complaints about the restrictions imposed on their livelihoods by the Taliban. They also express distress and suffering caused by the military demeanor and improper conduct of armed Taliban members toward the people. While Taliban officials in Panjshir province claim to regard the residents as fellow compatriots and part of the Afghan people, the pleas of the governor and provincial officials of Panjshir fall on deaf ears among the Taliban military personnel.
The people of Panjshir province face problems due to the early and frequent rotation of Taliban military units. The Taliban leadership has decided not to allow their units to stay in the province for extended periods. As new groups arrive, they resort to violence and hostile behavior toward the locals. However, over time, their behavior may change slightly and become somewhat more civil. Yet, when these units are replaced by fresh ones from underdeveloped villages in the south, the same issues arise again. Consequently, the dignity, honor, and reputation of the people of Panjshir province are sacrificed amidst these challenges.
On these scorching days, people seek refuge from urban areas and hotter regions by retreating to places with water and trees. Panjshir province has become one such destination for people from Kabul looking to spend their time. However, the majority of sightseers and tourists currently visiting Panjshir province are from southern Afghanistan. The locals express their grievances, but no one comes to their aid. They lament that thousands of people from southern Afghanistan, including armed individuals, disregard the privacy and wishes of the local families. These visitors enter the villages, indulge in water activities, pluck and consume fruits from trees, cut down trees for cooking, destroy crops and agriculture, and prolong their stay as they, please. Fear of retaliation prevents anyone from daring to protest against them, as they may face violence from these armed individuals.
The people of Panjshir province face the problem of their homes being occupied by Taliban military personnel or non-local Taliban officials. Some non-local Taliban individuals, who are expected to stay in Panjshir province for an extended period, bring their families along and enter the houses of locals who have fled to Kabul or elsewhere out of fear, or are temporarily away from their homes. They forcefully break the gate locks and settle in these houses despite the homeowners’ requests to vacate the premises. This issue is particularly prevalent in areas near the main road. Despite the locals’ repeated pleas to the local Taliban authorities to address this problem, it persists, and no changes have been made to the situation.
Taliban military checkpoints are present in every village of Panjshir province, exerting surveillance and monitoring the movements and residences of the locals. As one resident described it, “The Taliban observes every local resident here as if they have four eyes, like God.” Surviving in Panjshir province becomes a constant trial by fire for those who must travel between villages. For instance, the Taliban forces prohibit locals from venturing into the mountains. The people of Panjshir province are forced to seek the highlands to gather firewood, graze their livestock, and produce milk, yogurt, and cheese. The restrictions imposed by the Taliban in this regard have compelled the locals to sell their livestock, resulting in the loss of their meager income from these activities.
Nomads (Kochis) also contribute to the harassment of residents by allowing their herds to freely graze in people’s farms and pastures, disregarding protests, and causing damage to crops and grazing areas. The issue of Kochis has long been a struggle in regions like Panjshir province, but it has worsened since the Taliban’s occupation. In Panjshir province, Kochis receive full support from armed Taliban individuals, empowering them to act without fear and inflict harm on the local population, thereby destroying their cultivation and agriculture. When confronted by locals, Kochis assert their right to occupy their own property and land without needing anyone’s permission. Interestingly, the Taliban granted Kochis access to the mountains while denying the same permission to the locals.
Taliban militants in Panjshir province continue to arrest and torture residents based on unfounded accusations. They employ pressure tactics to coerce locals into surrendering weapons or extorting money from them. With little oversight of their actions, the militants feel empowered to act with impunity. Currently, numerous young residents of the province are enduring harrowing torture in Taliban prisons. After months of suffering, many of these individuals are released without any knowledge of the grounds for their imprisonment. Some local Taliban commanders, including Hamid Khorasani, are implicated in the detention and subsequent release of young people in exchange for payment. Any Taliban member who acquires a weapon is free to sell it for their own livelihood. The weapons amassed by Taliban militants are smuggled out of the country and fall into the hands of criminal groups and militants.
Residents of Panjshir province, like those in other regions of Afghanistan, rely on foreign aid due to the deteriorating political and economic situation. There are numerous reports of Taliban interference in the distribution of aid within the province, as they dictate its allocation according to their own preferences. The majority of aid resources end up in the hands of Taliban members and their military forces. It appears that international aid organizations tolerate a portion of the aid reaching the Taliban as long as some of it also reaches other recipients. The issue of Taliban interference in aid distribution has been highlighted in reports by international organizations on multiple occasions. However, the Taliban, aware that aid organizations continue their assistance regardless, freely manipulate the distribution process to their advantage.
It is crucial not to overlook the fact that the National Resistance Front’s (NRF) inability to weaken the Taliban’s rule has created an opportunity for ISIS to exploit people’s dissatisfaction and gather support. Can ISIS fill the void left by the NRF’s defeat? It is certain that the general population will not sympathize with ISIS, as they adhere to Hanafi Sunni religious beliefs and do not share any ideological affinity with the group. However, IS-K is determined to exploit any chance to infiltrate Panjshir province. The Taliban have already detained and imprisoned some of their local officials in Panjshir province, including the head of the Directorate of Public Works and a Taliban security commander in the Shotul district. This demonstrates that ISIS is actively seeking to infiltrate Panjshir province. If the Taliban leaders and operatives fail to win the people’s satisfaction and adjust their behavior towards the locals, there is a possibility of ISIS expanding its influence further.