Russian Investors Interested in Panjshir Mines, Claims Taliban

Local sources told Afghanistan International that Haji Ghulam Hussain had been arrested six days ago, and 350 of his forces had been disarmed.

Apparently, a special unit of the group and Taliban intelligence forces from Kabul were sent to Takhar to disarm and arrest Haji Ghulam Hussain.

Sources said that Haji Ghulam Hussain had been collaborating with the Taliban since 2016. He was previously a commander under Amir Bashir, a former Mujahideen leader in Takhar.

Bashir was a former commander of the Hizb-e-Islami who later joined the Jamiat-e-Islami Party. Bashir and his forces played a significant role in the Taliban's fight against former government forces in Takhar.

Sources mentioned that Haji Ghulam Hussain is currently imprisoned at the 40th Directorate of the Taliban Intelligence Agency in Kabul.

There is no information about the motive behind the disarmament of this Tajik Taliban commander in Takhar. He was described as a prominent military figure of the Taliban in Takhar and the northeastern region, having a role in controlling gold mines in Chah Ab district of Takhar.

This is not the first time the Taliban group has arrested one of their local commanders in the northern provinces. Previously, several Uzbek commanders in Faryab and Takhar had also been arrested and disarmed.

Recently, the UN Security Council's technical sanctions committee reported tensions between Pashtun and non-Pashtun Taliban in northern Afghanistan. The report mentioned that the Taliban leadership in Kandahar is seeking to strengthen its position and influence over non-Pashtun Taliban.

According to the report, due to these tensions, some orders from the Taliban leader, including the ban on poppy cultivation in Badakhshan, have been ignored.

During a meeting with employees of the Taliban Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, Muttaqi labelled these reports as "baseless" and "nonsense”.

Muttaqi claimed that various entities are trying to undermine the Taliban's achievements in security, counter-narcotics efforts, and major projects.

Last week, the UN Security Council's sanctions monitoring team released a 26-page report stating that Afghanistan remains a sanctuary for terrorists, with the Taliban's inability to control the situation reinvigorating groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Additionally, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan recently expressed concern over the worsening human rights situation in the country, indicating that such violence might constitute crimes against humanity.

Reports indicate that since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, terrorist groups have sought refuge in the country and are operating under Taliban protection. The Taliban have also been accused of enforcing gender apartheid by excluding women from public life.

Muttaqi questioned the data collection methods of Western organisations concerning human rights, women's rights, and the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. He stated, "These reports are taken from biased, dubious sources and enemies of Afghanistan and then published under the guise of documented reports."

He accused Western countries of unfairness, suggesting that if they are truly concerned about Afghanistan's situation, they should reopen their embassies in Kabul and assess the situation through diplomatic channels.

Muttaqi criticised countries advocating for human rights, accusing them of destroying Gaza and massacring 38,000 people. He claimed these countries highlight minor incidents in Afghanistan while ignoring the genocide in Gaza.
The UN Security Council's technical committee reported that Al-Qaeda has quietly re-established bases and offices in five provinces, including Kabul and Nangarhar, and has infiltrated the Taliban's Ministries of Defence, Interior, and Intelligence.

Previously, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, stated during the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva that "violence against women and girls in Afghanistan is very severe and widespread”.

Bennett also noted that the Taliban have increased public executions and amputations.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, without specifically naming the Taliban, stated that the rites of Muharram, including the display of Ashura symbols, should be respected.

In a message on Tuesday, Bennett said, "I hope everyone can observe this important occasion with freedom, security, and without fear."

Bennett did not mention reports from locals about the Taliban's attempts to limit and disrupt Ashura ceremonies in certain parts of the country.

Several residents of western Kabul told Afghanistan International on Tuesday that the Taliban disrupted Ashura ceremonies in District 13 of Kabul and beat up and dispersed some of the mourners.

According to the Taliban, the group's leader met with Sirajuddin Haqqani, Yaqoob Mujahid, and Abdul Haq Wasiq in Kandahar on Sunday.

In an interview with Tolo News on Monday, this Taliban's spokesperson discussed the details of the meeting and said that Hibatullah instructed the heads of the Taliban's security organs to obey his commands and those of the Prime Minister's Office.

Previously, Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban’s spokesperson said that the heads of the group's security organs discussed "challenges" during their meeting with Mullah Hibatullah, but Mujahid did not provide further details about these challenges.

The Taliban's Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated that the group's leadership is focused on professionalism and good behaviour towards the people.

The Taliban leader's order for obedience to his commands comes despite repeated criticisms from Haqqani and Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban's Ministers of Interior and Defense.

In February 2023, Haqqani criticised the "monopoly of power" at a meeting in Khost province, stating that the current situation is unacceptable.

In response to Haqqani's remarks, the Taliban spokesperson said that Islamic ethics dictate that criticism of the "Emir" should not disrespect him. Without naming anyone, Zabihullah Mujahid said that criticism of the "Emir" should be done in private.
There have been previous reports that the heads of the Taliban's security organs do not attend meetings with the Prime Minister and his deputies.

Participants of the Ashura ceremony told Afghanistan International that Taliban members beat up and dispersed mourners and disrupted the processions.

According to videos provided to Afghanistan International, people scattered into the streets.

Telecommunication Networks Shut Down In Kabul

As Shia Ashura ceremonies take place in Afghanistan, sources in Kabul reported that the Taliban have shut down all telecommunication networks in the capital.

Sources told Afghanistan International that under the pretext of ensuring security, Taliban fighters have also blocked all roads in western Kabul. The sources stated that the telecommunication networks in Kabul were cut off on Tuesday morning.

Afghanistan International's sources indicated that the Taliban, in addition to cutting communication networks, have prohibited residents of western Kabul from moving around the Shia neighbourhoods. According to the sources, there is a significant presence of Taliban fighters in western Kabul.

Over the last few years, the Taliban had also cut off telecommunication networks in several Afghan cities on the occasion of Ashura. The Taliban have not officially commented on the shutdown of telecommunication networks and the internet in Afghanistan.