Kashmir Khan
After the Taliban took charge in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1994, Commander Kashmir Khan opposed the Taliban regime and fought several battles with the Taliban.[citation needed] Kashmir Khan belonged to the Shura Nizami (military council) of Hezb-e Islami.[1] Human Rights Watch, quoting the Afghan Support Project, reports that the Hezb-e Islami attacked Kabul through regular rocket bombardment, causing extensive civilian casualties, and damage to property.[2]
In 2002 the Hezb-e Islami is reported to have split, with the hard-line Islamists, including Kashmir Khan, remaining with the party's leader, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.[3][4] Other former senior members are reported to have wished to join in the democratic process.
On August 29, 2002, the Asia Times reported:[5]
- "If American forces venture into Kunar they will be against tremendous odds. Kashmir Khan - the most powerful Hezb-e-Islami commander - keeps his base in the mountains of Kunar. Haji S says that 'even the Taliban at the time did not disturb him. He is not interested in ideology or politics. He is interested in power.' This also means that Kashmir Khan is unbribable by the Americans."
Kashmir Khan was reported to have been in negotiations with the Hamid Karzai government on February 22, 2005.[6]
The Asia Times reported, on February 8, 2006, that Khan was alive, and still serving as a commander for the Hezb-e Islami.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Culpability: Culpability of specific individuals, Human Rights Watch
- ^ The Battle for Kabul: April 1992-March 1993, Human Rights Watch
- ^ Former U.S. Ally Declares War on American Troops in Afghanistan, e-Ariana, September 26, 2002
- ^ Trojan horse or genuine schism? The Hezb-e-Islami split Archived 2007-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, The Jamestown Foundation, June 3, 2004
- ^ Osama is in Kunar, but the US can't get him, Asia Times, August 29, 2002
- ^ Talks between Karzai, Gulbadin underway: Taliban holding talks with Afghan govt Archived 2019-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, PakTribune, February 22, 2005
- ^ The Taliban's bloody foothold in Pakistan, Asia Times, February 8, 2006