Students from five schools in Panjshir have reported that the Taliban organized ceremonies to commemorate the death anniversary of Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, the former Taliban leader, and compelled them to attend.
According to the students, these mandatory ceremonies took place at Khatam al-Anbiya School, Zeinabiyat High School, Marshal Qasim Fahim High School, and Khnej High School.
Taliban confirmed the organization of these ceremonies in statements but did not address the students’ claims of being forced to attend.
Akhtar Mohammad Mansour was killed on May 21, 2016, in a drone strike by U.S. forces in Balochistan, Pakistan.
During the Taliban’s first regime, he served as the head of Ariana Airlines and as the Minister of Aviation. Mansour was a close associate of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the Taliban’s founder and former leader, and succeeded him as the leader of the Taliban after his death.
