A spokesman for Taliban police in Badakhshan on Wednesday confirmed the death of one individual in what local sources describe as ongoing infighting within the Taliban in the northeastern province.
The spokesperson said the clashes occurred with a group of “12 armed men.” He claimed that the individual responsible for the group — identified by local sources as Abdulrahman Ammar, a local Taliban commander — had been arrested.
However, conflicting reports from residents and local sources suggest that Ammar was not arrested but instead fled with his fighters to the surrounding mountainous areas of Shahr-e-Bozorg district, avoiding capture.
Taliban have sent a special committee to the area to investigate and de-escalate the situation, according to the police spokesperson. He also denied reports that the fighting was continuing in the district, where the incident occurred.
Tensions reportedly erupted days ago between Ammar — a former Taliban’s head of mining in the district — and Taliban forces from outside the region.
Sources told Amu TV that Ammar, who commands a force of roughly 100 men, has taken refuge in the mountains amid the standoff. They also said Taliban Army Chief Fasihuddin Fitrat has traveled to the area in an attempt to mediate.
The Taliban police confirmed the death of one commander, identified as Abdulhalim Hamidi, in the clashes. The spokesperson added that all those involved in the incident have now been arrested — a claim yet to be independently verified.
