RASC News Agency reports: Credible sources from Balkhab district in Sar-e Pol province state that the Taliban have arrested and tortured at least 14 residents. Sources informed the media on Monday, May 6, that on April 13, several Taliban intelligence members arrived in Balkhab posing as mining directors to gather information on the “oppression and persecution” carried out by the group.
According to the sources, when some local residents complained about the Taliban’s discriminatory behavior and expressed sympathy with anti-Taliban resistance groups, the “Taliban spies” recorded their voices. Following this incident, the Taliban forces raided three villages in Balkhab district and detained 14 civilians. According to the sources, several weeks later, the families of the detainees have not been able to visit them.
Local sources say the Taliban have demanded that these families hand over weapons left behind by Mullah Mehdi Mujahid, a dissident Taliban commander. On August 17, 2022, the Taliban announced they had killed Mullah Mehdi Mujahid, their local commander in Sar-e Pol province, following a series of disputes. However, residents of Balkhab district stated they had no weapons in their possession and lacked the financial means to obtain them.
Following the death of Mullah Mehdi Mujahid, reports of widespread human rights violations in Balkhab have increased. According to a statement issued by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission in July 2022, Taliban forces in Balkhab, Sar-e Pol province, were accused of executing civilians.
