Farmer Shot Dead in Panjshir; Taliban Held Responsible by Local Sources

Local sources in Panjshir province report that Taliban officials executed a farmer by shooting him on Wednesday evening, 25 February, in the Anaba district. According to these sources, the incident occurred around 10 PM while the man was working in his farmland.

The victim was identified as Abdul Saboor Sarwari, a resident of the Zaman Kor area in Anaba district. Sources add that he was working on his farm at night after Iftar, with the knowledge and permission of Taliban members.

According to the sources, after gunshots were heard, Sarwari’s relatives went to the site and retrieved his body from Taliban forces. Information provided states that two bullets struck his head.

Witnesses say that after the incident, Taliban forces surrounded the area until morning and did not allow residents to leave their homes, a move that has raised concerns about the transparency of the event.

While local sources hold the Taliban responsible for the killing, Taliban members have denied involvement and claimed they have no information about the perpetrators. The victim’s relatives also emphasize that he had no enmity with anyone.

Some sources further state that Sarwari was previously a local commander during the war against the Soviet Union and also during the first Taliban regime; however, the Taliban administration has yet to comment on this connection in relation to the event.