Intra-Group Discontent and Rising Ethnic and Linguistic Bias Within Taliban Ranks.
Zubair Kohbandi, a resident of Kohband district in Kapisa province and formerly affiliated with a Taliban commander known as “Khorasani,” says that after being sidelined by the Taliban, his name was recorded in the Ministry of Interior archive of the group as a “rebel.”
He added that he has faced serious problems due to his language and ethnicity, which have had direct personal and security consequences.
The former Taliban member said that the pressures and restrictions imposed on him left him deeply frustrated and dissatisfied, prompting him to sharply criticize Taliban leaders. Kohbandi, claiming that his experience and skills were ignored, challenged all Taliban forces to test their courage and bravery—a statement reflecting deep intra-group discontent.
Meanwhile, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, a Taliban commander, recently complained about increasing ethnic and linguistic problems within the group, stating that several of his bodyguards had been arrested and disarmed.
Previously, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Minister of Refugees, had told critics, “If anyone has a problem, they should come forward like a man and speak.” These developments indicate that in recent months, ethnic and linguistic bias within the Taliban has intensified, becoming a significant factor in internal tensions and disputes.
