Unknown Individuals Attack Taliban Critic in Istanbul

Mohammad Hashem Danish, a political activist and a critic of the Taliban in Istanbul, told Afghanistan International that “unknown individuals” attacked him with a knife near his house.

Danish said that he had been hospitalised at a public hospital and currently, the status of his health is “better”.

The political activist also sent pictures to Afghanistan International which reveal his battered face.

Danish added that three days ago he had received a phone call from an unknown number stating that it had been one of his friends, who recently returned from Germany.

According to Danish, the caller that insisted on meeting him personally. He stated that when he agreed to meet the caller, several individuals with masks attacked him as soon as he left his house.

He told Afghanistan International that these unknown individuals beat him up and fled when the neighbours got involved in the scuffle.

Danish stressed that he doesn’t know the identity of his attackers or which group they belong to.

The Istanbul Police has not commented on the incident and other sources have also not revealed the identity of the attackers or the motivation behind the assault.

Danish usually criticises Taliban’s politics, jihadi leaders and former governments of Afghanistan during round table discussions on different television channels.