New Detials Emerge On The Capture Of Kabul Airport Attack Mastermind

Speaking to Afghanistan International on Tuesday, the officer—who requested anonymity for security reasons—said he was arrested on 5 January in the district 5 of Kabul and released days later on bail. During his detention, he claimed he was subjected to severe physical abuse.

Fear and Threats Against Former Security Personnel

The army personnel stated that he lives in constant fear and anxiety, emphasising that all former military personnel remain at risk under the Taliban regime. He accused the Taliban of killing, imprisoning, and torturing many of his fellow servicemen.

Appealing to international organisations, including the United Nations and human rights groups, he urged them to address the plight of former Afghan security personnel. Additionally, he criticised leaders of Afghanistan’s former government, accusing them of abandoning the country and leaving ex-military members in dire conditions.

He also called on Western nations, which were allies of Afghanistan’s former government, to honour their commitments to former Afghan soldiers.

Reports of Abuse and Taliban Denials

In recent years, international organisations, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), have repeatedly reported on the detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings of former security forces. UNAMA recently stated that it has documented cases of murder and torture against these individuals.

Despite these reports, the Taliban continues to deny any wrongdoing, claiming that all former security personnel were granted general amnesty and face no threats. However, evidence suggests that in the past three and a half years, thousands of former soldiers and officials have been detained by the Taliban for various reasons.

On Tuesday, 4 March, the ministry released images of a meeting in Berlin between German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and a group of Afghan female activists. Referring to the Taliban’s oppressive policies, the ministry wrote on its X page: “Walling up windows, erasing women’s public images: The Taliban are building a social dungeon for Afghan women & girls.”

The German Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to listening to Afghan women’s voices and consulting with Afghan civil society activists regarding human rights violations in the country.

138 Taliban Decrees Against Women Since January

Meanwhile, Afghan and international civil society organisations issued a joint statement on Tuesday, referencing a report by the US Institute of Peace that revealed the Taliban has issued 138 decrees against women and girls since 31 January 2025. These decrees, the statement noted, have resulted in the systematic exclusion of women from public life and imposed severe discrimination.

The statement praised an initiative by Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, urging the Taliban to halt violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It suggested that this initiative could pave the way for legal action against the Taliban at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Calls for Justice and Accountability

Afghan and international civil society groups also welcomed virtual and in-person consultations with Afghanistan’s human rights community and emphasised the need for continued, inclusive, and meaningful dialogue. They called for urgent accountability and justice to address the worsening women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan.

The statement underscored that Afghan women and girls must be recognised as “agents of change” and included in evidence collection, case documentation, strategic communications, and future legal proceedings related to their rights.

International Condemnation of Taliban Policies

In September 2024, the foreign ministers of Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands issued a declaration condemning the Taliban’s grave and systematic human rights violations, particularly their gender-based discrimination against women.

A group of nations, including Albania, Belgium, Iceland, Malaysia, Morocco, Panama, Sierra Leone, and Slovenia, has backed the joint declaration, reinforcing international pressure on the Taliban to uphold women’s rights in Afghanistan.

A Pakistani official stated that approximately 15,000 people have fled their homes and taken refuge in the city of Landi Kotal.
According to sources, Taliban border guards opened fire without prior warning, targeting government buildings and civilians, triggering widespread panic.

Impact on Local Communities

Ali Shinwari, a Pakistani resident, told Reuters “The tensions between the two countries and the continuous closure of the border have created multiple problems for people in the border area. Many are poor and rely on border-related businesses.”

He added that since the Torkham crossing’s closure, tribal families in a nearby city have been hosting dozens of their displaced relatives.

Border Closure and Casualties

Pakistani officials, speaking anonymously, stated that the Torkham border crossing has been closed since 21 February due to a dispute over the Taliban’s construction of a new checkpoint.

On Monday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior announced that one of their fighters had been killed and two others injured. Pakistani security officials confirmed that one of their soldiers had also been wounded.

Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported on Tuesday that at least six security personnel and two civilians had been injured. Additionally, one civilian reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack amid gunfire and the ensuing chaos.

Trade Disruptions and Economic Losses

Torkham is the main transit route for passengers and goods between landlocked Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, trade between the two countries exceeded $1.6 billion in 2024.

Yousaf Afridi, head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Torkham is located, stated that the closure of the crossing has stranded 5,000 trucks carrying essential goods, causing at least $15 million in losses.

According to local sources, mortars fired by Taliban forces damaged the mosque’s walls and interior, leaving it in ruins. The mosque was reportedly struck on Monday night, following Taliban gunfire directed towards Pakistan.

Images obtained by Afghanistan International show that the mosque’s walls and interior courtyard have been completely destroyed.

Ongoing Clashes and Casualties

The clashes between Taliban border forces and Pakistani troops began on Sunday night, 2 March, continuing until 11:00 AM on Monday. After a brief pause, the fighting resumed later that night.

Reports indicate that both sides have deployed light and heavy weaponry during the confrontation. The Taliban’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that during the clashes, one Taliban fighter was killed, and two others were injured. However, independent sources suggest the Taliban suffered at least three fatalities.

Tensions Over the Torkham Border Crossing

Torkham, one of the two main trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has been closed for over a week due to a dispute over the Taliban’s construction of a new checkpoint.

Tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have escalated in recent months over border control, security concerns, and trade restrictions, leading to repeated clashes at key border points.

Mujahid claimed that UNAMA’s reports have created a negative perception of Afghanistan within the United Nations, disregarding the country’s progress, achievements, and security improvements.

On Tuesday, 4 March, Taliban-controlled Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) released an audio recording of Mujahid in which he strongly criticised UNAMA’s activities in Afghanistan. He accused the UN mission of exaggerating minor issues while deliberately highlighting negative aspects of the situation.

The Taliban spokesperson further asserted that UNAMA’s reports neither benefit Afghanistan nor the UN, declaring that the mission has not been “successful” in fulfilling its role in the country.

Context and UNAMA’s Mandate

The Taliban’s criticism comes ahead of an address by Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA, to the UN Security Council on 10 March regarding the situation in Afghanistan.

Last year, the UN Security Council extended UNAMA’s mandate until 17 March 2025, underscoring the mission’s continued role in monitoring and reporting on Afghanistan’s political, humanitarian, and security situation.