Despite the Taliban’s repeated assurances regarding the implementation of their “general amnesty” decree, local sources in Zari District of Balkh Province report that a former member of the Afghan National Army has been detained by Taliban forces, while his family remains unaware of his whereabouts several days after his arrest.
According to local sources, Ibrahim Safary, a resident of Baye Dostum village in Zari District, was arrested on Monday, June 1, by personnel from the Taliban’s Counterterrorism Directorate. Sources say that since his detention, no information has been provided to his family regarding either his location or his condition.
Local sources further state that Taliban forces demanded that Safary surrender his weapon. Prior to the collapse of the former republic, he had served in the provinces of Herat and Farah. At the time the Taliban returned to power, he was reportedly on leave from his military duties.
The continued reports of arrests involving former members of the previous Afghan security forces have once again drawn attention to the Taliban’s pledge to uphold a general amnesty. The issue has heightened concerns over the safety and treatment of thousands of former military personnel across Afghanistan.
Over the past nearly five years, numerous reports have emerged alleging the detention, enforced disappearance, and killing of former security force members. The Taliban have consistently rejected such allegations, maintaining that they remain committed to the general amnesty decree issued by their supreme leader.
As Ibrahim Safary’s family continues to await information about his fate, the incident has once again raised questions about the situation of former military personnel and the practical implementation of the Taliban’s amnesty policy in Afghanistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
