A collection of official documents, internal reports, and video evidence obtained from Taliban authorities has revealed the direct involvement of Taliban personnel in systematic extrajudicial killings across multiple Afghan provinces.
The evidence indicates that these killings were not isolated incidents, but part of a deliberate and organized pattern of violence, executed on the instructions of Taliban intelligence and security officials. Many acts were carried out using state-issued weapons while perpetrators were on official duty, highlighting a severe abuse of governmental authority.
The investigation reviewed five videos containing confessions from perpetrators of targeted killings, alongside internal reports and official documents from Taliban sources in Herat, Samangan, and Baghlan provinces.
Findings show that victims were often executed without proper investigation, frequently based solely on rumors, accusations of espionage, or financial motives. In several cases, even when perpetrators were identified and detained, Taliban authorities concealed the incidents and failed to provide transparency to the public.
Some perpetrators were later released without trial, often after pressuring victims’ families to sign forgiveness letters or accept “blood money”, circumventing any form of accountability.
This pattern of violence highlights the collapse of judicial independence under Taliban rule, widespread impunity, and the absence of mechanisms to protect civilians or ensure justice. The authorities have failed to explain or justify these actions, further eroding trust in the rule of law and human rights protections in Afghanistan.
The evidence underscores an urgent need for international attention and independent investigation to hold perpetrators accountable and restore the principles of justice and accountability.
“These killings are systematic and state-sanctioned, not isolated incidents,” said a security analyst. “The evidence reflects the urgent need for international oversight to protect civilian lives and uphold basic human rights in Taliban-controlled areas.”
The investigation continues to monitor developments, and further evidence regarding these killings and the broader pattern of abuses may be released as it becomes available.
