Top Anti-Taliban Afghan Commander Captured, Executed

Taliban forces have reportedly killed a top anti-Taliban Afghan commander, who was captured early October 26. The death of Commander Abdul Haq is a severe setback for international efforts to foster a multi-ethnic government to replace the Taliban, according to Pakistani officials.

Sources close to the Taliban say that Commander Haq, who entered Afghanistan in mid October along with 50 anti-Taliban Afghan guerrillas, was captured by Taliban forces on October 26 at 2.30 am, after a failed US rescue attempt.

One report said that he was shot in the back when he tried to escape from captivity, while another source said that he was executed by a summary trial on charges of treason and collaboration with anti-Islamic forces.

Commander Abdul Haq had close ties to ex-King Mohammed Zahir Shah, who is working to build a coalition government for post-Taliban Afghanistan. Haq crossed into Afghanistan from his base in Pakistan to promote an uprising among ethnic Pashtuns against the Taliban, and he was trying to prepare a base for the king's return to Afghanistan. Zahir Shah now lives in exile near Rome.

A Pakistani official told EurasiaNet that "it [Haq's death] is a big blow not only to the United States but also to Pakistan which looked for an alternate set-up in Kabul to replace the hardline Taliban."

Few days prior to Haq's capture Taliban officials had warned Pakistan against supporting the commander's insurgent force. The Taliban apparently was concerned about Haq's potential to foment unrest, and described his capture as a "major success."

According to a Taliban source, after Haq and his loyalists were surrounded, he contacted US military officials and requested help. Haq "called the Americans through his satellite phone asking them for a bombardment," the Taliban representative said. "American planes pounded the area and two Taliban soldiers were injured and a pickup was destroyed."

The Taliban spokesman added that "several [US] helicopters" attempted a rescue mission, but could not find Haq.

"Commander Abdul Haq was trying to escape on a horse when he was arrested," the spokesman said. "We have not arrested any foreigners but there is a possibility that they may be some foreigners among the 50 people under siege."