RASC News Agency: Local sources in western Afghanistan report that the weaponry of Pashtun Taliban fighters is more modern and advanced than that of their non-Pashtun counterparts. A local source in Herat Province, speaking on condition of anonymity, informed RASC News Agency on Saturday, May 25th, that the weapons of Pashtun Taliban are of significantly higher quality compared to those of Persian-speaking Taliban. This information has not yet been widely disseminated or made available to the public.
The source noted that currently, all weapons held by Pashtun Taliban fighters are equipped with scopes. Additionally, the source highlighted that the weapons of Persian-speaking Taliban fighters in the districts of Herat Province are extremely worn out. Despite raising this issue with senior officials several times, no action has been taken to address the problem.
Farshid Ahmadi, a civil activist in Badghis Province, stated to RASC News Agency that the price of Pashtun Taliban’s weapons is much higher than that of the Persian-speaking Taliban’s guns. He mentioned that a scoped rifle held by Pashtun Taliban fighters costs more than 500,000 kabuli rupees and is accessible to each Pashtun Taliban member.
Moreover, another source in Ghor Province, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed RASC News Agency that a significant percentage of Persian-speaking Taliban, including Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras, are increasingly frustrated with their membership in the group and are seeking to leave. According to this source, the situation within the Taliban is highly discriminatory, with Pashtun Taliban exhibiting extreme ethnocentrism and showing no regard for Persian-speaking members.
Babak Dalwari, an expert on western Afghanistan affairs, confirmed that the Taliban’s discrimination persists at all levels, focusing solely on Pashtuns and their special agents. He noted that to maintain their so-called Islamic rule, the Taliban have made numerous promises to their subordinates to prevent them from leaving the group.
Dalwari added that these hollow promises from Taliban leaders do nothing to alleviate the frustrations of the group’s fighters, making it unlikely that they will remain with the Taliban under such conditions.
The Taliban have yet to comment on this matter.
