Taliban Compiles Extensive Most Wanted List, Targets 1,640 Alleged NRF, AFF & ISIS Members

A confidential document obtained from Taliban sources by Afghanistan International has revealed a list of 1,640 individuals alleged to be members of the National Resistance Front (NRF), Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), and ISIS.

This most wanted list encompasses individuals operating across Afghanistan and in at least seven other countries.

The document, verified by the Taliban Intelligence Agency's "05" and "031" units, categorises the individuals into two distinct groups. The first group, consisting of 587 names, identifies those associated with armed groups like the NRF and the AFF, active in 28 Afghan provinces. The document also indicates that some of these individuals operate in Iran, Tajikistan, and other unspecified countries.

Laghman province is highlighted as a significant hub for these groups, with 98 individuals identified, followed by Panjshir with 78, Parwan with 45, and Baghlan with 36. The list also includes individuals from Kabul, Kapisa, Badakhshan, Herat, Samangan, Nuristan, Badghis, Ghor, and Balkh provinces, with each region reporting 12 to 32 alleged members.

The document further notes that fewer than ten individuals from each of the provinces of Maidan Wardak, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Sar-e Pol, Farah, Kunar, Logar, Ghazni, Khost, Daikundi, and Helmand are on the list. Additionally, nearly 40 individuals' activities are linked to Iran, Tajikistan, and locations outside Afghanistan.

The Taliban has labelled these individuals as either directly involved in "evil and corrupt" activities or as collaborators. The roles identified include leaders, financial officers, arms distributors, and secret allies.

The second part of the list targets 1,054 individuals purportedly affiliated with ISIS, especially the ISIS Khorasan group. Roles such as commanders, financial officers, communication officers, bomb transfer officers, and general members are specified. Furthermore, the list accuses some individuals of recruitment and propaganda efforts on social media for ISIS Khorasan.

Designations within ISIS include military base heads, intelligence coordinators, "Salafist" preachers, and trainers for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants.

The largest concentration of these alleged ISIS members is in Kunar province, with 296 individuals, followed by Nangarhar with 284, Laghman with 80, and Kabul with 67. The Taliban intelligence document also mentions Pakistan, Uzbekistan, India, Chechnya, Turkey, China, and Iran as additional operational regions for over 80 members of the ISIS Khorasan group.