<p>Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek&nbsp;leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week. General Dostum, who once aligned himself with Ahmad Shah Massoud-led Northern Alliance to oust Taliban when it first came to power in the 1990s, said that he will soon begin the struggle for Afghanistan's freedom. Dostum added that if he is killed upon entering Afghanistan at Hairatan -- one of the outposts at Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border -- he would not regret his actions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>General Dostum was among the leaders who escaped Kabul&nbsp;days after&nbsp;Kabul fell to thew Taliban hardliners in August 2021.</p>

<h2><strong>Abdul Rashid Dostum: The 'CIA asset' who became Afghanistan's vice president</strong></h2>

<p>Abdul Rashid Dostum had been the&nbsp;first vice president of Afghanistan (2014-2020), and marshal in the Afghan National Army is another key face in Afghan politics. After being run out of the country by the Taliban during their rise to power, he returned to the country, widely perceived as a&nbsp;'CIA asset'.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exiled-afghan-warlord-organising-group-in-turkey-against-taliban-481388">Exiled Afghan warlord organising group in Turkey against Taliban</a></strong></p>

<p>In 2018, Dostum was accused of killing hundreds of Taliban prisoners of war. The methods included stuffing the prisoners of war into shipping containers where they often suffocated.</p>

<h2><strong>Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Should Return Former Govt’s Helicopters to NRF Fighters:&nbsp;Dostum</strong></h2>

<p>Dostum recently called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hand over the former government army’s helicopters to National Resistance Front (NRF) fighters.&nbsp;He said that these helicopters should be used by the NRF personnel in different provinces of Afghanistan.</p>

<p>At least 40 helicopters of the former democratically-elected government’s army were transferred to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Dostum said in London. Earlier, the defence ministry of the United States had announced that 46 flights had landed in Uzbekistan and 18 in Tajikistan until August 21, 2021, a week after Taliban took over Kabul.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side</strong></p>

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<p>In April, Uzbek authorities had announced that helicopters and aircraft of Afghanistan’s former government will not be handed to the Taliban.&nbsp;Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special representative for Afghanistan had said that the military equipment belongs to the United States . He said that these equipment&nbsp;will be kept in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Washington.</p>

<p>Abdul Rashid Dostum says that the Taliban kills former Afghan National Army with no mercy – the group conducts door-to-door search operations, find former army personnel, tortures them in the worst possible manner, and eventually kills them.</p>

<p>Dostum's remarks come days after the US-based Brookings Institution released an investigative report that claimed NRF's resistance would not pose any immediate threats to the Taliban regime.</p>


Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week.

Former Afghanistan Vice President and ethnic Uzbek leader of the Junbish-e Milli political party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum declared war against Taliban this week. General Dostum, who once aligned himself with Ahmad Shah Massoud-led Northern Alliance to oust Taliban when it first came to power in the 1990s, said that he will soon begin the struggle for Afghanistan's freedom. Dostum added that if he is killed upon entering Afghanistan at Hairatan -- one of the outposts at Afghanistan-Uzbekistan border -- he would not regret his actions. General Dostum was among the leaders who escaped Kabul days after Kabul fell to thew Taliban hardliners in August 2021. Abdul Rashid Dostum: The 'CIA asset' who became Afghanistan's vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum had been the first vice president of Afghanistan (2014-2020), and marshal in the Afghan National Army is another key face in Afghan politics. After being run out of the country by the Taliban during their rise to power, he returned to the country, widely perceived as a 'CIA asset'. ALSO READ | Exiled Afghan warlord organising group in Turkey against Taliban In 2018, Dostum was accused of killing hundreds of Taliban prisoners of war. The methods included stuffing the prisoners of war into shipping containers where they often suffocated. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Should Return Former Govt’s Helicopters to NRF Fighters: Dostum Dostum recently called on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to hand over the former government army’s helicopters to National Resistance Front (NRF) fighters. He said that these helicopters should be used by the NRF personnel in different provinces of Afghanistan. At least 40 helicopters of the former democratically-elected government’s army were transferred to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, Dostum said in London. Earlier, the defence ministry of the United States had announced that 46 flights had landed in Uzbekistan and 18 in Tajikistan until August 21, 2021, a week after Taliban took over Kabul. ALSO WATCH | Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side × In April, Uzbek authorities had announced that helicopters and aircraft of Afghanistan’s former government will not be handed to the Taliban. Ismatullah Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special representative for Afghanistan had said that the military equipment belongs to the United States . He said that these equipment will be kept in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Washington. Abdul Rashid Dostum says that the Taliban kills former Afghan National Army with no mercy – the group conducts door-to-door search operations, find former army personnel, tortures them in the worst possible manner, and eventually kills them. Dostum's remarks come days after the US-based Brookings Institution released an investigative report that claimed NRF's resistance would not pose any immediate threats to the Taliban regime.

Who is General Dostum? The Uzbek strongman who has declared war on Taliban

Taliban spokesperson has claimed to meet Afghanistan's National Resistance Front leaders Ahmad Massoud in Iran which the NRF has reportedly denied and has said that no such meeting was held. Now, the development comes just days after clashes were reported in the Panjshir valley, the NRF was leading the resistance movement since Afghanistan's Taliban takeover in August. WION's Anas Mallick brings in all the latest developments.

Taliban claims to have met Afghanistan's resistance leaders, 'no such meeting was held,' claims NRF

Despite the apparent calm, the NRF remains a problem for the Taliban. In recent videos, which emerged on social media through Telegram channels, reportedly show a crackdown being led by the Taliban to deal with the remnants of Panjshir resistance.

Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side

<p>The Taliban claim to have complete control over Afghanistan. However, recent evidence points to the contrary.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Despite the Taliban government's best efforts, even after three months of the group's takeover of the country, the National Resistance Front (NRF) remains a thorn in its side.</p>

<p>Back in September, the Afghan National Resistance Front (NRF), a group of Panjshiri fighters and remnants of the defeated Afghan army, made their last stand against the heavily armed and well-funded Taliban.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/talibans-show-of-strength-military-parade-with-us-made-weapons-429432" hreflang="en">Taliban's show of strength:&nbsp;Military parade with US-made weapons</a></strong></p>

<p>Prior to that, the NRF was the only force capable of mounting serious armed opposition to the Taliban's relentless sweep through Afghanistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Even with the apparent calm of the last two months, the resistance has continued to be a problem for the Taliban.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the group claims they are not pursuing revenge, recently, a number of videos have emerged from social media channels, on Telegram channels appearing to show a Taliban crackdown on what is left-over of the Panjshir resistance.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-afghan-girl-alleges-beating-by-taliban-commander-for-refusing-sex-taliban-post-video-to-refute-claim-429216" hreflang="en">Watch: Afghan girl alleges beating by Taliban commander for refusing sex, Taliban post video to refute claim</a></strong></p>

<p>In a video that has been circulating on social media recently, a Taliban fighter can allegedly be seen standing in front of three bodies claiming they were NRF fighters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Responding to the rumours, the resistance group has denied the Taliban's claims, saying that the bodies of men pictured in these videos in fact belong to relatives of the fighters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In another version of the story, a spokesman for the province of Khost has stated that the bodies were in fact of robbers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/one-million-afghan-children-at-risk-of-dying-due-to-acute-malnutrition-who-428916" hreflang="en">One million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: WHO</a></strong></p>

<p>An Afghan commander is said to have been tasked with dealing with the remnants of the resistance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Hamid Khorasan, the Taliban commander in Afghanistan, is allegedly leading the crackdown. In another video gaining traction on social media, he can be seen giving orders to a row of Taliban gunmen.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-nrf-still-remains-a-thorn-at-talibans-side-429418/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>However, it is unclear when and at what point these videos were shot during the Taliban's crackdown.</p>

<p>Nonetheless, reports indicate that there is still a significant concentration of NRF fighters in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province as well as in northeastern Afghanistan's Kapisa province.</p>

<p>While the Taliban continue to downplay the internal threats it faces in the country, even a few hundred members of the resistance can rally the people against the group. This is at a time when the Taliban government is seeking international legitimacy.</p>


The Taliban claim to have complete control over Afghanistan. However, recent evidence points to the contrary. Despite the Taliban government's best efforts, even after three months of the group's takeover of the country, the National Resistance Front (NRF) remains a thorn in its side.

The Taliban claim to have complete control over Afghanistan. However, recent evidence points to the contrary. Despite the Taliban government's best efforts, even after three months of the group's takeover of the country, the National Resistance Front (NRF) remains a thorn in its side. Back in September, the Afghan National Resistance Front (NRF), a group of Panjshiri fighters and remnants of the defeated Afghan army, made their last stand against the heavily armed and well-funded Taliban. Also read | Taliban's show of strength: Military parade with US-made weapons Prior to that, the NRF was the only force capable of mounting serious armed opposition to the Taliban's relentless sweep through Afghanistan. Even with the apparent calm of the last two months, the resistance has continued to be a problem for the Taliban. Although the group claims they are not pursuing revenge, recently, a number of videos have emerged from social media channels, on Telegram channels appearing to show a Taliban crackdown on what is left-over of the Panjshir resistance. Also read | Watch: Afghan girl alleges beating by Taliban commander for refusing sex, Taliban post video to refute claim In a video that has been circulating on social media recently, a Taliban fighter can allegedly be seen standing in front of three bodies claiming they were NRF fighters. Responding to the rumours, the resistance group has denied the Taliban's claims, saying that the bodies of men pictured in these videos in fact belong to relatives of the fighters. In another version of the story, a spokesman for the province of Khost has stated that the bodies were in fact of robbers. Also read | One million Afghan children at risk of dying due to acute malnutrition: WHO An Afghan commander is said to have been tasked with dealing with the remnants of the resistance. Hamid Khorasan, the Taliban commander in Afghanistan, is allegedly leading the crackdown. In another video gaining traction on social media, he can be seen giving orders to a row of Taliban gunmen. Watch | Afghanistan: NRF still remains a thorn at Taliban's side However, it is unclear when and at what point these videos were shot during the Taliban's crackdown. Nonetheless, reports indicate that there is still a significant concentration of NRF fighters in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province as well as in northeastern Afghanistan's Kapisa province. While the Taliban continue to downplay the internal threats it faces in the country, even a few hundred members of the resistance can rally the people against the group. This is at a time when the Taliban government is seeking international legitimacy.

Afghanistan | 3 months since takeover, is NRF still a thorn in the Taliban's side?

The European Union has invited Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) to address the European Council and the European Parliament.

EU Parliament invites Panjshir resistance leader Ahmad Massoud

Anti-taliban forces were determined to prevent Taliban rule. But after taking over the country, Taliban zeroed down its forces on Panjshir to eventually capturing it. Anas Mallick has been on ground zero covering the rise of resistance to the fall of valley. Here's a flashback

WION Ground Report: From rise of resistance to capture of Panjshir

Did the Pakistani Military lead the Taliban's offensive in Panjshir? Iran has launched an investigation into "foreign interference" in Panjshir. Palki Sharma tells you why the global community must investigate Pakistan.

Gravitas: Pakistan "invades" Panjshir, Iran launches an investigation

The Taliban took control of Panjshir today. A team from WION travelled from Kabul to Panjshir to document how the Taliban imposed its rule on what was the last bastion of resistance in Afghanistan. Palki Sharma brings you a ground report.

Gravitas: Exclusive: The day Panjshir fell to the Taliban

The Afghans are disappointed with the international community for their failure to back the resistance forces. WION's Anas Mallick tells Palki Sharma how the Taliban is imposing its brutal rule in Panjshir.

Gravitas: Ground Report: What happened after the Taliban took Panjshir

The Taliban has claimed to defeat NRF and defeat the insurgents.

Taliban claims to defeat NRF in Panjshir Valley

The Taliban has claimed to defeat NRF and claimed to take over the Panjshir valley.

Taliban claim to defeat NRF, takeover Panjshir

NRF leader Ahmad Massoud has said that the NRF is committed to peacefully resolving differences with the Taliban. But however, the Taliban has rejected any offer to negotiate.

Taliban: Nothing left to negotiate

NRF leader Ahmad Massoud has said that the NRF is committed to peacefully resolving differences with the Taliban.

NRF leader Ahmad Massoud says ready to hold talks with Taliban

The Taliban in their latest press conference have said that they will announce a new government in Afghanistan soon. The group's spokesperson also added that they have invited some countries for the government formation ceremony.

Taliban hold media briefing post Panjshir capture, says it's in process of govt formation

The Taliban has surrounded the only remaining province resisting its rule, Panjshir valley. The Taliban has called for the National Resistance Front (NRF), who defends Panjshir, to lay down their arms.

Afghanistan: Taliban calls for NRF to lay down their arms as they surrounds Panjshir Valley

Fresh clashes erupted between the Taliban and National Resistance Front (NRF) in the parts of Panjshir Valley. The focus of the Taliban is shifting to Panjshir valley to thwart the spirited resistance being led by Ahmad Massoud.

Fresh clashes reported between Taliban and NRF in Panjshir, Baghlan provinces

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