Juma Khan Fateh Returns After Pledging Allegiance to Taliban

Herat Media, affiliated with the Taliban administration, reported that Juma Khan Fateh, a local dissatisfied commander within the group, returned to Darwaz from Faizabad on Saturday, 20th of Saratan, after “pledging commitment and declaring loyalty” to the Taliban regime. According to this outlet, he was transferred to the center of Badakhshan province with a guarantee by Fasihuddin Fitrat for discussions.

Despite this development, details about the content of the talks and any potential agreements between the parties have not been published. Mohammad Ismail Ghaznavi, the Taliban-appointed governor of Badakhshan, described Juma Khan Fateh as a “committed and loyal” individual and stated that he will remain with the group.

In a video released by Herat, Juma Khan Fateh is seen aboard a helicopter, bidding farewell to armed Taliban members. This is notable as the same media outlet had labeled reports of his transfer to Faizabad just a day earlier as “rumors” and “baseless,” raising questions about the transparency of the Taliban administration’s communications.

Informed sources say that Juma Khan Fateh’s disagreements with the Taliban leadership have primarily revolved around local appointments, disarmament of forces loyal to him, and the management of gold mining in Badakhshan. Badakhshan is among the provinces in northeastern Afghanistan known for gold mines, and control over these resources has long been a source of conflict between local figures and the central Taliban leadership.

The Taliban’s recent order to prevent illegal gold extraction has directly targeted the economic interests tied to Juma Khan Fateh. Simultaneously, the Taliban administration is trying to disarm armed forces loyal to him — forces that lack an official position within the group’s structure — a move that could limit the influence of local commanders.

Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, had previously dismissed him from his position as deputy governor of Zabul and intended to appoint him to a role outside Badakhshan. However, based on information obtained by media outlets, Juma Khan Fateh rejected the proposals, including heading one of the Taliban intelligence departments in Kabul, and refused to accept any responsibility outside of Badakhshan.