Security tensions have reportedly intensified in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan Province, where Taliban authorities are said to have reinforced their military presence in Nusay District following an escalating dispute with local Taliban commander Juma Khan Fatah.
According to a report by Afghanistan International, citing local sources, at least two Taliban military helicopters have been conducting aerial surveillance over Nusay District since Sunday, monitoring positions allegedly associated with Juma Khan Fatah and fighters loyal to him. The helicopters were reportedly equipped with heavy military hardware, underscoring the heightened security posture in the area.
Local sources further stated that one of the helicopters briefly landed in the district center on Monday afternoon, where three Taliban personnel reportedly disembarked. Their identities and the purpose of their visit have not been officially disclosed. Images received by Afghanistan International reportedly show Taliban military helicopters flying over Nusay District, although the circumstances surrounding the deployment have not been independently verified.
The reported aerial surveillance coincides with the deployment of additional Taliban personnel to the district center. According to local sources, the reinforcements are intended to support efforts to disarm fighters loyal to Juma Khan Fatah as part of an ongoing security campaign.
Reports further indicate that Taliban Defense Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid has traveled to Badakhshan amid the rising tensions. Local sources claim that efforts to collect weapons from local armed fighters have been intensified following his arrival, reflecting what appears to be an effort by the Taliban leadership to consolidate security control in the province.
According to the report, Juma Khan Fatah remains in Nusay District alongside fighters loyal to him. The reported dispute between the local commander and the Taliban’s central leadership is said to stem from disagreements over mining interests, the disarmament of local fighters, and government appointments.
Local sources indicate that attempts to resolve the dispute through negotiations over recent weeks were unsuccessful. Following the reported failure of those talks, Taliban authorities are said to have increased their military presence in the area while initiating measures to remove officials and fighters believed to be affiliated with Juma Khan Fatah from their positions and to disarm them.
The report also states that Ghulamullah Ahmadi, described as a local rival of Juma Khan Fatah, has reportedly been appointed Deputy Commander of the Badakhshan Division. In addition, the intelligence chief of Shikai District and the commander of the Shughnan Battalion, Gulbuddin Almas, have reportedly been removed from their respective positions.
According to local sources, a Taliban delegation has also warned district officials, intelligence chiefs, and Taliban commanders across five districts of Darwaz that failure to prevent the movement of armed individuals operating outside official structures could result in their dismissal from office.
Meanwhile, local sources report that Juma Khan Fatah has instructed his supporters to remain on high alert while directing them not to initiate hostilities. However, following his reported return from Zabul to Badakhshan and the subsequent increase in Taliban military deployments in Nusay District, tensions between his faction and the Taliban’s central leadership are said to have intensified further.
While the reports point to growing internal security challenges and divisions within Taliban-controlled areas of Badakhshan, many of the claims rely on local sources and have not been independently verified. No official statement has been issued by Taliban authorities addressing the reported deployments, leadership changes, or the alleged dispute at the time of publication.
