NEW YORK – The Taliban is intensifying its search for people who worked with United States (US) and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces, said a confidential United Nations (UN) document, despite it vowing no revenge against opponents.
The report – provided by UN threat-assessment consultants and sighted by AFP – said the group has “priority lists” of individuals it wants to arrest.
It said most at risk are people who had central roles in the Afghan police, military and intelligence units.
The Taliban has been conducting “targeted door-to-door visits” of individuals it wants to apprehend and their family members, according to the report.
It said militants are also screening individuals on the way to Kabul airport and have set up checkpoints in major cities, including the capital and Jalalabad.
The document, dated Wednesday, was written by the Norwegian Centre for Global Analyses (NCGA) – an organisation that provides intelligence to UN agencies.
“They are targeting the families of those who refuse to give themselves up, and prosecuting and punishing their families ‘according to shariah law’,” said the group’s executive director, Christian Nellemann.
“We expect both individuals previously working with US/Nato forces and their allies, alongside their family members to be exposed to torture and execution.
“This will further jeopardise western intelligence services, their networks, methods and ability to counter the Taliban, Islamic State and other terrorist threats ahead.”
“Recruiting” informers
The report said the Taliban is “rapidly recruiting” new informers to collaborate with its regime and is expanding its lists of targets by contacting mosques and money brokers.
It reprinted a letter, dated August 16, from the group to an individual who worked in counter-terrorism in the Afghan government.
The letter asked the person to report to Taliban officials to “provide information about the nature of your work and relationship with the British and Americans”.
“If you do not report to the commission, your family members will be arrested instead, and you are responsible for this. You and your family members will be treated based on shariah law.”
NCGA also warned that the Taliban may target or arrest remaining Westerners or other foreign personnel, including medical workers, if they criticise the militants.
A UN spokesman did not respond to request for comment on the document.
The Taliban have launched a public relations blitz since sweeping back into power on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces as the US and other foreign troops withdrew following a 20-year occupation.
Among promises such as rights for women and an inclusive government, the militants have also pledged full amnesty for all who worked with the Western-backed elected Afghan government.
But Afghans have not forgotten the Taliban’s ultra-conservative Islamic regime of 1996-2001, when brutal punishments, such as stoning to death for adultery, were imposed.
Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee the country since the takeover, sparking chaos at Kabul airport. – AFP, August 20, 2021
