ISLAMABAD: Juma Khan Fateh, a dissident Taliban commander in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, has publicly opposed the presence of foreign terrorist groups in the country, specifically naming Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army.
In a statement shared on his X account, Fateh said he had opposed the activities of such groups from the first day and continued to stand by that position.
He said he supported actions aimed at suppressing and eliminating foreign armed groups in order to prevent civilian killings.
From day one, we have opposed the presence of armed groups like the TTP and BLA on our soil. We commend and support any operations aimed at eliminating these terrorists who massacre innocent Muslim citizens, ensuring peace and security.
— Al-Haj Juma Khan Fateh (@JKFateh) July 1, 2026
Fateh also claimed that the Darwaz region and strategic mines of Badakhshan remained fully under the control of his forces. He warned that his group would not allow any encroachment on Darwaz or Badakhshan.
“Until our last breath, we will not allow anyone to encroach on Darwaz and Badakhshan,” he said.
The statement comes amid repeated concerns raised by regional countries and international bodies about the presence of foreign armed groups in Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghan authorities to prevent groups operating from Afghan soil from carrying out cross-border attacks.
The development also highlights growing internal tensions within the Taliban setup, particularly between local commanders in Badakhshan and figures aligned with the group’s central leadership in Kandahar and Helmand.
Local sources previously said negotiations between a Taliban delegation and Juma Khan Fateh had failed. Separate reports have also pointed to the deployment of Taliban military convoys to the Darwaz area, signalling a possible escalation in the dispute.
