KABUL, Afghanistan: An Afghan civilian was killed in an armed clash between two Taliban regime officials in Badakhshan province that erupted over a dispute about fishing, Afghanistan’s Amu TV reported, citing local sources.
The clash occurred Saturday afternoon in the Duabi area of Baharak district between Mullah Hafiz, the Taliban regime governor of Farah province, and Ibrahim, the Taliban regime police chief for Baharak district, according to the sources cited by Amu TV.
The sources said Mullah Hafiz had travelled to the area to fish, but Ibrahim stopped him, leading to an armed confrontation between the two sides. A civilian identified as Fida Mohammad was killed in the clash, Amu reported, citing sources.
Akhtar Mohammad Rasekh, a military and political affairs analyst, cited by Amu, said disputes among Taliban regime members and forces could deepen internal divisions.
“Disputes and negative views are developing among the forces or officials of the Islamic Emirate, and such actions or confrontations will play into the hands of enemy intelligence agencies,” Rasekh said.
A relative of Fida Mohammad told Amu that he had gone to the Duabi area for recreation on Saturday when the clash occurred.
The relative said Fida Mohammad was recently married and is survived by a young daughter. His relatives said he ran his own business and was also involved in sports in Baharak.
A Badakhshan resident said Fida Mohammad worked as a metalworker and was a goalkeeper for Baharak district’s football team.
“He worked as a metalworker. Alongside his work, he was a member of Baharak’s sports committee and goalkeeper for the Baharak district team,” the resident said.
Taliban regime has not publicly commented on the reported clash or Fida Mohammad’s death.
The incident comes after recent clashes in Badakhshan involving Juma Khan Fateh, a disgruntled Taliban regime commander, and other Taliban regime forces. Civilians were affected by those clashes, and some residents were forced to leave their homes. A Tajik citizen was also killed in the fighting.
