The Taliban in Darwaz have no other option there besides him.
Source: Nigohi Afghoniston (View of Afghanistan) News Agency
Local sources in Badakhshan report that Juma Talbon, also known as Juma “Fatih (The Conqueror),” one of the prominent Taliban commanders in the northeast of the country, is a native of the Shohdara village in the Nusai district of Badakhshan. He now oversees military activity in five districts of Darwaz (Nusai, Shekay, Maymay, Kufab, and Khwahan), and around 500 armed fighters are under his command.
Origin and Meaning of the Nickname “Talbon”
In the Darwaz region, the nickname “Talbon” is given to children whose parents, after many years of childlessness, supposedly “asked God” through prayers and supplications. Juma “Fatih” also comes from such a family — a poor rural household with no political background or ties to any military structures.
Early Education and Life
Juma received only basic religious and school education at home and has a low level of literacy. Locals say that until 2017, he played at weddings — on tabla, dambura, ghichak, and harmonium — and was known locally as a musician. Videos published on social media before he joined the Taliban show that he was part of a local musical ensemble and performed at wedding celebrations.
The Theft of Teachers’ Salaries and Joining the Taliban
According to local sources, the turning point in Juma “Fatih’s” life occurred in 2016 (1395 AH). At that time, due to the lack of banking services, teachers’ salaries from the five districts of Darwaz were transferred through hawala exchange networks. It is said that while transporting the salaries for teachers in the Shekay and Maymay districts, Juma “Fatih” appropriated 300,000 afghanis. After the case was uncovered, he became wanted by the government, disappeared, and joined the local Taliban in the mountains of Darwaz.
Becoming a Brutal and Influential Field Commander
Sources add that after joining the Taliban, Juma “Fatih” took part directly in several offensive attacks on security posts, causing heavy casualties and gaining a reputation as a “merciless and bloodthirsty” man. Locals say that in one attack, he killed 14 security personnel.
Rise to Power After the Fall of the Republican Government
After the fall of the republic, Juma “Fatih” was appointed Taliban military commander in Darwaz. According to locals, his rise was not due to social status or leadership skills, but rather because there were almost no Taliban supporters among the population of Darwaz. To secure control of the region, the Taliban relied on wanted individuals, criminals, and fugitive former employees — a group to which Juma “Fatih” belonged.
Handing Over the Region’s Largest Weapons Depot to the Taliban
Another factor behind his increasing influence within the Taliban leadership is said to be the capture of one of the largest weapons and ammunition depots remaining from the war with the USSR in Darwaz. This depot, guarded by 50 local police officers before the fall of the republic, came under Juma “Fatih’s” control after the system collapsed, and he handed it over to the Taliban.
Harsh Suppression of Opposition and Pressure on the Ismaili Minority
Residents of Darwaz say that Juma “Fatih” now suppresses any slightest dissent against the Taliban with extreme brutality, and a climate of fear and suffocation prevails in all five districts. Reports indicate that he has begun forcibly converting followers of the Shia Ismaili branch to Sunni Islam, and dozens of people have been forced to renounce their faith. Ismaili families are also under pressure and compelled to send their children to Sunni religious schools run by the Taliban.
Control of Gold Mines and Using the Income to Expand Religious Schools
Local sources also report that Juma “Fatih” maintains full control over the region’s gold mines and channels the revenue into establishing numerous religious schools across the five districts.
