Heavy Accusations of Smuggling Against Taliban Border Commander in Badakhshan.
Local sources in Badakhshan Province claim that several Taliban border forces, including Mullah Jamil-ur-Rahman Rahmani, the commander of this group in the province, are involved in drug trafficking, illegal livestock transfer to Tajikistan, and plundering of mines.
According to these sources, smuggling networks operate in the border areas of Badakhshan in an organized manner, often with the support or tolerance of certain local officials. These allegations arise despite the Taliban’s repeated emphasis on combating narcotics.
A local source claimed that Mullah Jamil, commander of the border brigade, had poor financial status until three years ago, but now owns several buildings worth millions of dollars in Baharak District and has purchased hundreds of acres of land.
According to this source, the wealth was reportedly acquired through drug trafficking, illegal mining, extortion of locals, and misappropriation of Taliban fighter allowances. While these claims have not been confirmed by independent sources, they have gained significant local attention.
In recent years, Tajik authorities have repeatedly reported clashes between their border forces and drug trafficking networks along the Afghan border; in some cases, Taliban-affiliated armed individuals were killed during these confrontations.
Furthermore, previous reports accused the Taliban governor of Helmand, Mullah Amanuddin Mansoor, of drug trafficking, intensifying concerns over the expansion of illicit economies within local Taliban structures.
Now, Badakhshan residents are demanding transparent investigations and accountability, asking: “If oversight exists, why are such cases not pursued?”
