SAR-E-PUL (SW): The Taliban militants have established black markets for illegal arms and narcotics trade after establishing their writ in the Kohistanat and Sozma Qala districts in the Sar-e-Pul province.
Syed Asadullah Danish, member of the provincial council, told Salam Watandar automatic rifles and narcotics are sold openly here. He said an AK-47 is sold at around AFN 80,000, rocket-launcher at around AFN 120,000 and raw opium at around AFN 7000 per kilogram.
Abdul Samad, a local of Sar-e-Pul province who recently migrated to Jawzjan, informed that many Uzbekistani militants associated with the son of Tahe Yoldosh, slain leader of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, are seen active in these black markets.
Bismillah, a 17-year old former child soldier of the Taliban who recently joined the peace process in Jawzjan, informed he was tasked to target the Afghan security forces in Sayad district and on the Sheberghan – Sar-e-Pul high way. He said Uzbekistani and Pakistani militants are providing trainings for suicide attacks to group of 15 to 20 militants in Sar-e-Pul.
Zabehullah Amani, spokesman for the governor of Sar-e-Pul, has also expressed concerns over the rampant sale of illegal arms and drugs in the province. He, however, vowed soon a massive clean-up operation would be launched here.
The Taliban have not commented on this matter so far.
ENDS
