Islamabad [Pakistan], August 18: A disgruntled local Taliban commander in Afghanistan's north-eastern Badakhshan Province, Juma Khan Fateh, has laid down his arms, ending days of armed tension with Taliban government forces, Afghan media reported on Monday.
In recent days, Taliban Chief of Army Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat, himself an influential figure from Badakhshan, and special operations forces were deployed to Fateh's home district after he refused to hand over weapons to the government, pro-Taliban media Hurriyat reported. Local media reported that Fateh negotiated a surrender deal after Taliban government forces tightened pressure around his positions in the mountainous Nusi district, which reportedly included conditions for disarmament. Fateh is considered an influential commander, who played a key role in capturing Badakhshan Province during the Taliban's rapid military sweep in 2021, which led to the collapse of the internationally backed Afghan government. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune