Taliban Member Accused of Killing Farmer in Nuristan Sparks Controversy
Local sources in Nuristan province report that the individual who fatally shot a 33-year-old farmer in the provincial capital is a member of the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior Special Forces, contradicting the official account from local Taliban authorities.
Zain-ul-Islam, a resident of the ‘Ishtivi’ village in Parun city, was shot and killed on Saturday evening while irrigating the lawn near his home. Earlier, local Taliban officials in Nuristan had claimed that he died from stray bullet fire during tourists’ celebratory gunfire.
However, a local source and a relative of the deceased asserted that the farmer was deliberately and directly targeted, dismissing the official claim of stray gunfire as inconsistent with the facts. According to these sources, the accused individual named ‘Mahmood,’ is originally from Kandahar and serves in the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior Special Forces.
Previously, Taliban local officials described Mahmood as a ‘merchant.’ Yet the sources stress that, besides his role within the group’s security structure, he is related to Nedim Nadim, the Taliban’s Minister of Education. This connection has raised concerns about a possible attempt to alter the official narrative and shield the accused.
According to these sources, local residents apprehended the accused after the incident and handed him over to the Taliban authorities. Reports say he possessed a Taliban membership ID and an official weapon-carry permit upon arrest.
A Nuristan resident stated that three days before Eid al-Adha, Taliban local leaders had prohibited armed tourists from entering the province. Nonetheless, the accused entered the area carrying a weapon. The resident added that most armed tourists are members or relatives of high-ranking Taliban officials.
Nuristan residents are demanding a complete ban on armed individuals entering the province and calling for a public and transparent trial for the accused. The victim’s family emphasized that without ensuring justice and an impartial investigation, public trust in the responsible institutions will be further damaged.
