Anti-Taliban Group Claims Deadly Clashes With Taliban Forces in Afghanistan's Badakhshan

Kabul (Terror Monitor) — The anti-Taliban armed group Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) says it has been engaged in heavy fighting with Taliban forces for the past three days in Afghanistan's northeastern Badakhshan province, which borders Pakistan's Lower Chitral district.

In a statement posted on X, the AFF claimed its fighters targeted a Taliban military convoy traveling from Kabul to Badakhshan with a rocket attack on Saturday, killing seven Taliban fighters and wounding six others. The group said the convoy was carrying reinforcements and military supplies and had been under surveillance by its fighters since leaving Kabul.

The AFF also claimed none of its members were injured during the operation. The Taliban have not publicly commented on the claim.

The reported attack comes as clashes intensify in Zebak district, where the AFF says it has been fighting Taliban forces in recent days. The group claimed it inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and forced them to abandon positions in the district.

In another statement, the AFF alleged that Taliban fighters retreated after failed attempts to advance and laid landmines around abandoned checkpoints on the outskirts of Zebak. The group also claimed it had shot down two Taliban drones operating in the district on July 24.

The Taliban's Ministry of Defense has not commented on the drone claims. However, Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of the Taliban General Staff, said opposition fighters suffered heavy losses and retreated toward the Shah Salim area. He alleged the fighters later crossed into Pakistan's Chitral district, adding that Taliban forces did not pursue them across the border.

Fitrat warned that anyone attempting to undermine security in Afghanistan would face a strong response.

Badakhshan Governor Mohammad Ismail Ghaznavi also urged armed opposition groups to abandon armed resistance and engage with the Taliban administration, saying no group would be allowed to destabilize the country.

Both the Afghanistan Freedom Front and the Taliban have claimed to have inflicted significant casualties on each other during the recent fighting. However, none of these battlefield claims have been independently verified.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front, led by former Afghan Army Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasin Zia, is one of the most active anti-Taliban armed groups and has previously claimed responsibility for attacks on Taliban positions across Afghanistan. Approximately 10 days ago, another newly formed armed group, Sepahiyan-e-Mihan, briefly seized control of the Yaftal district center in Badakhshan before Taliban forces regained control.