Danish Siddiqui, a photojournalist, was murdered in crossfire because he did not communicate with the Taliban, a Taliban spokesperson told NDTV on Friday as the group made significant progress in Afghanistan, gaining control of important cities such as Herat and Kandahar.
Muhammad Sohail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Doha, Qatar, said in an interview that the Taliban now control “90 percent” of Afghanistan.
When asked about Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who was purportedly killed on assignment by Taliban forces, the spokesperson retorted, “You can’t say he was killed by our fighters.”
Inquire as to why he failed to coordinate with us. We have repeatedly told media that if they come to our locations, they should coordinate with us and we will provide protection.”
He went on to say: “He was, however, embedded with Kabul’s security forces. There was no distinction between security personnel, militia, Kabul military, or a journalist among them. He was killed in cross-firing, therefore it’s unclear who fired the shot that killed him.”
According to reports, Danish Siddiqui was apprehended and executed, with his body mutilated.
It was disputed by a Taliban spokesman. “We’ve dismissed the mutilation claim two or three times. It is not a policy of ours.
It’s probable that it was done by security forces in order to harm us. Mutilating dead bodies is against Islam’s precepts, he claimed.
He was asked if media might approach the Taliban and request permission to report from the ground.
“Journalists from all over the world are welcome to visit to our areas and make reports…
They can open branches in our areas and witness the ground situation firsthand,” Shaheen explained. After US President Joe Biden announced the departure of American soldiers from Afghanistan to finish a two-decade conflict, the Taliban has taken control of major Afghan cities and is almost at the gates of Kabul, leaving only small pockets of land in government hands.
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001, when US-led forces drove them out. They were infamous for enforcing draconian rules based on their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, such as prohibiting women from attending school or working, requiring women to leave the house with a male relative, and requiring males to grow beards and cover their heads.
All forms of entertainment were outlawed, and anyone who disobeyed their harsh rules was subjected to whippings or beatings. The Taliban allegedly reformed in Pakistan after being driven out by US soldiers. Pakistan is suspected of assisting the militants.
“You should ask your government if they consider the Taliban a friend or an adversary, not me,” he said when asked whether the Taliban consider India an enemy or a friend. See, if India gives guns, arms, and ammo to the Afghan people in order to incite discontent against us, it will undoubtedly be viewed as a hostile act. However, if India works for the country’s peace and prosperity, it will not be perceived as a hostile gesture. That is a decision for India to make.
Shaheen responded to claims that India had recently had discussions with the Taliban, saying: “Yes, I’ve heard rumours that an Indian delegation met with Taliban leaders in Doha and elsewhere, but I haven’t confirmed them. What I do know is that there was a meeting yesterday at which an Indian delegation, as well as a Taliban delegation, were present. That is something I can confirm.”
If the Taliban take control, Shaheen claims, terror organisations such as ISIS and Al Qaeda will be barred from operating on Afghan land. He also denied that Pakistan was aiding the Taliban in any way.
