The body of Abdul Bashir Mohammadi, a former police officer who served under Afghanistan’s former republic government, has been recovered from a well in Sar-e Pol province, 25 days after he went missing. Local sources say he was shot dead, and Taliban police have confirmed that his death was a murder.
A source in the province told Etilaat Roz newspaper on Sunday, 17 Aqrab, that Mohammadi was 28 years old and originally from Sozma Qala district. Before the collapse of the republic government, he served at the Sar-e Pol police command. After the Taliban returned to power, he worked as a driver in the provincial capital.
According to the source, Mohammadi’s family had spent 25 days searching for him and initially believed he might have travelled to Iran or Turkey. Late on Saturday, 16 Aqrab, local residents discovered his body inside a well in the Toghni area of Sar-e Pol city. His identity was established after residents examined the identification document and clothing found with the body.
The source said Taliban police confirmed that Mohammadi had been killed by rifle fire. However, the motive for the murder and the identities of those responsible remain unknown.
The killing comes amid continued reports of violence against former members of Afghanistan’s security forces, despite the Taliban leadership’s announcement of a general amnesty after taking power in August 2021. Etilaat Roz has reported that some former security personnel have been killed after being detained by the Taliban, while others have died in incidents involving unidentified perpetrators. The newspaper cited the case of a former serviceman named Allah Dad, whose body was handed over to his family.
The Taliban have repeatedly said they remain committed to the general amnesty announced by their leader. However, reports of killings involving former military and police personnel continue to raise questions about their security and the implementation of that pledge.
In Mohammadi’s case, the confirmation of murder has not yet been accompanied by information about a motive, suspects or arrests. Establishing responsibility through a transparent investigation will be essential to clarify the circumstances of his death and address concerns among former members of Afghanistan’s security forces.
