Former Helmand militia commander dies in Taliban custody after six months, body handed to family
The body of a former Helmand military commander has been handed over to his family after six months in detention.
Sources in Helmand say Allahdad Badizai, a former commander of the local police, died after six months in Taliban intelligence custody, and his body was given to his family. The cause and circumstances of his death remain unclear.
According to the sources, Badizai was arrested about six months ago in the First Security District of Lashkar Gah city. Taliban intelligence had denied his arrest at the time.
A source told the newspaper Etilaat Roz three months ago that the former security official was being subjected to severe torture in a Taliban prison. However, no independent information has been published about his condition during detention or the cause of his death.
The sources add that Badizai’s body was handed over to his family members yesterday by the Taliban police command, and his funeral was held on Monday in Marjah district.
Over the past five years, despite the Taliban administration’s announcement of a general amnesty, reports have been published on the killing, arrest and disappearance of former security personnel. In some cases, the bodies of these people were handed over to their families after detention, and in others, former security personnel were mysteriously killed by unknown individuals.
The Taliban administration says it is committed to the amnesty order of its leader, but it has so far offered no explanation for the arrest and death of Allahdad Badizai.
