KABUL, Afghanistan: Around 25 Taliban regime fighters were killed in an attack carried out by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) / Daesh fighters in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, Afghan media reported, citing Taliban sources.
A source based in the Mamand area of Achin district said that ISKP fighters attacked a group of Taliban regime fighters, killing around 25 of them.
Achin, located in eastern Nangarhar province, has long been considered one of the most sensitive areas of Afghanistan and was among the earliest strongholds of ISKP. The district has witnessed years of clashes involving ISKP, the Taliban regime, and other armed groups.
ISKP terrorist group established a significant presence in Nangarhar and emerged as a major force in eastern Afghanistan, fighting both Afghan government forces and the Taliban regime.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the group launched sustained operations against ISKP in an effort to weaken its presence and capabilities.
Despite continued pressure from Taliban regime fighters, ISKP has remained active and has carried out attacks in different parts of the country. Achin’s mountainous terrain and proximity to the border have historically made security operations difficult, while the area’s location has also facilitated cross-border movement and the activities of militant networks.
Nangarhar: Around 25 Taliban reportedly killed and beheaded in Achin
A Taliban source in the Mamand area of Achin district, Nangarhar, says ISKP fighters attacked a group of Taliban members, killing around 25 of them.
According to the reports, several of those killed were also… https://t.co/WGPkA9MgBY
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 16, 2026
The latest attack highlights the continuing security challenges facing the Taliban regime in eastern Afghanistan. At the same time, anti-Taliban armed groups appear to be showing signs of renewed activity in parts of northern Afghanistan, particularly in Badakhshan.
The simultaneous presence of ISKP and other militant groups, along with emerging armed resistance in different parts of the country, could create additional security and governance challenges for the Taliban authorities.
Badakhshan has emerged as one of the main areas of reported anti-Taliban activity. Armed groups opposed to the Taliban’s rule have carried out attacks and attempted to challenge the regime’s control in parts of the province.
Recent clashes in the region have raised concerns about a possible escalation, particularly as the Taliban regime deploys additional fighters and heavy weapons to areas where opposition forces remain active.
The emergence of armed resistance in Badakhshan is significant because the province had remained relatively peripheral to the Taliban regime’s main military campaigns during their return to power in 2021.
The developments in Badakhshan and Nangarhar involve different armed groups with different objectives. Anti-Taliban factions in the north are seeking to challenge the regime’s control, while ISKP remains a terrorist group hostile to the Taliban as well as other governments and armed organisations.
Afghanistan United Front attacks Taliban regime outpost
Earlier on Saturday the anti-Taliban Afghanistan United Front (AUF) said that its fighters had attacked a Taliban regime position in Faryab province, killing two Taliban members and wounding four others.
The group said one of its fighters was missing after the operation in the Malghay area of the newly established Bandar district.
Anti-Taliban AUF Team Strikes Taliban Position in Faryab
The anti-Taliban AUF reportedly attacked a Taliban position in Malghay, Faryab, killing 2 Taliban and injuring 4 others. One AUF fighter was reported missing in action. pic.twitter.com/zLAGXkapoG
— Afghan Times (@AfghanTimes7) August 16, 2026
The United Front said its fighters carried out the attack at night against a Taliban regime outpost in Malghay after an exchange of fire. It described the operation as a successful assault on a Taliban regime fighting position.
The resistance group said two Taliban regime members were killed and four wounded.
The United Front said the operation was carried out in response to appeals from residents of Faryab for “freedom and justice”. It vowed to continue its armed campaign against the Taliban regime, the resistance group stated.
Sadat warns of ‘bigger surprises’
Sadat, one of the prominent former Afghan military figures backing armed opposition to the Taliban regime, has warned that the Taliban regime is weakening five years after returning to power.
Gen. Sami Saadat’s latest audio message delivers a clear warning: after five years, the Taliban regime is weakening.
Juma Fateh Khan’s decision to join the Afghanistan United Front has further strengthened the resistance.
Bigger surprises are coming for the Taliban in the days… pic.twitter.com/XJ3RwnI51S— Open Secrets (@OpenSecrets7Ave) August 15, 2026
In an audio message, Sadat said resistance against the Taliban regime had gained momentum and warned that “bigger surprises” were coming in the days ahead.
Also Read: Badakhshan Erupts as Taliban Mayor Killed in Blast Amid Rising Infighting
On August 2, Sadat said he had ordered United Front forces to begin military operations across Afghanistan.
“Today at 5:00 AM, I ordered all military members of the United Front to begin military operations,” he said in a video message.
The announcement came about two weeks after Taliban regime forces briefly lost control of the district centre of Yaftal-e Payeen in Badakhshan, according to reports.
UN closely monitoring fighting in Badakhshan
The United Nations says it is closely monitoring fighting in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province amid growing concerns over the safety of civilians caught in clashes between Taliban forces and fighters loyal to dissident commander Juma Khan Fateh.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) told the media that it did not yet have verified information about civilians in areas affected by the fighting.
UNAMA said it would provide further updates once reliable information became available.
Clashes between Taliban forces and Fateh’s fighters have continued in Nusay district since Tuesday, with reports of casualties, arrests and house-to-house searches emerging from the area.
