Taliban Arrest Seven Following Attack on Yaftal Payan District Amid Conflicting Reports of Control
Following an attack on the center of Yaftal Payan district in Badakhshan province, the Taliban’s security spokesperson announced that seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Simultaneously, reports indicate that the district was out of Taliban control for several hours.
Ehsanullah Kamgar, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s security command in Badakhshan, stated in an audio message broadcast by Tolo News that the attack was carried out by “irresponsible individuals.” He added that the incident occurred while local Taliban officials were at home due to the Friday holiday.
According to Kamgar, the attackers fled the area upon the arrival of Taliban forces, and search operations to apprehend other involved individuals are ongoing. He emphasized that the Taliban forces are working to fully regain and maintain control over the situation.
However, local sources offer a different account. One source told Etilaat Roz newspaper that members of the newly formed “Sepahian-e-Mihan” (Homeland Army) have taken control of the district center of Yaftal Payan, and clashes with Taliban forces are ongoing.
Additionally, videos and images circulating on social media show a blue flag hoisted over the district building while gunfire is heard in the area. These visuals have cast doubt on the Taliban’s claims of complete control over the region.
Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan has experienced activity from anti-Taliban groups in recent years. The increase in such incidents has raised concerns regarding security provision in remote areas and the security management capabilities of the Taliban administration.
