ISLAMABAD – A former Afghan Taliban commander has claimed in a video statement that “Iran is responsible for the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh”.
“We will soon avenge Haniyeh’s death from Iran,” he added.
Abdul Hamid Khorasani aka Nasir said “Iran and Israel are two sides of the same coin” and “targeting Iran is even more crucial than targeting Israel”.
“Such actions would not be possible without support from within.”
The video circulating on different social media platforms shows Khorasani and his associates equipped with advanced weapons and communication devices.
WHO IS THE ACCUSER?
Khorasani, a Tajik-origin member of the Taliban from Panjsher province, has been a prominent figure within the group, while frequently featuring in media and social networks.
During Ashraf Ghani’s rule in 2019, the Ministry of Interior Affairs placed him on the wanted list for charges including murder, extortion, hostage-taking, and drug smuggling, which he denied.
In 2021, Khorasani joined the Taliban and was appointed as the security chief for Panjsher province. He survived an assassination attempt by the National Resistance Front (NRF) in January 2022.
THE HAQQANI FACTOR
Reportedly, he received significant support from Sirajuddin Haqqani, a powerful figure in the ruling Taliban regime.
In February 2022, Khorasani led a Taliban operation against the National Resistance Front (NRF), targeting and occupying caves and mountaintops in the Panjsher Valley.
However, in March 2022, he was removed from his position after releasing a controversial video urging supreme leader Hibatullah Akundzada to dismiss Mullah Qudrat Ullah as the governor of Panjsher.
According to the available details, Khorasani in 2023 became the chief of Ahmad Aba district and later threatened Iran on Twitter following a clash.
During border skirmishes in March 2024, he warned Pakistan of potential eradication if ordered by Hibatullah Akundzada, the Taliban supreme leader.
Khorasani also released an audiotape calling for the trial and punishment of Taliban members responsible for killing demonstrators during the 2024 Badakhshan protest and criticized the group’s linguistic policies, threatening to leave if justice was not served.
PASHTUN VS NON-PASHTUN
He has consistently asserted that non-Pashtun commanders and fighters face discrimination within the Taliban’s ranks.
At times, he openly criticized certain policies of the Taliban’s Supreme Council, which has contributed to his marginalization.
Despite this, sources indicate that Khorasani still commands a significant number of non-Pashtun Taliban fighters.
However, the Afghan Taliban have not yet issued an official response to his video.
Arshad Mehmood is a conflict zone journalist with extensive experience covering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan. Associated with a prestigious American news agency, The Media Line USA. He is a highly experienced journalist with a proven track record of covering inland and across-the-border terrorism and counter-terrorism narratives and incidents. (https://themedialine.org/) Most of his news stories published in The Media Line are also featured on JPost.com, a major media outlet in the Middle East. He can be reached via @RajaAajtv on social media.