Afghanistan to Have ‘Regular, Disciplined and Strong Army’ of its Own: Taliban Army Chief Qari Fasihuddin

The Taliban army chief said discussions are underway to decide on the formation of a "regular, disciplined and strong army" in the near future.

Written by: India.com News Desk Edited by: Rajashree Seal

Updated: September 16, 2021, 7:57 AM IST

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https://www.india.com/news/world/afghanistan-to-have-regular-disciplined-and-strong-army-of-its-own-taliban-army-chief-qari-fasihuddin-4960036/ Copy

Senior Taliban leader Qari Fasihuddin has taken charge as the new army chief of Afghanistan. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Taking charge as the new army chief of Afghanistan, senior Taliban leader Qari Fasihuddin said that Afghanistan will soon have a “regular and disciplined” army of its own. Addressing a press conference in Kabul on Wednesday, Fasihuddin further stated that discussions are underway to decide on the formation of a “regular, disciplined and strong army” in the near future and that their soldiers will be trained to defend the boundaries of Afghanistan.

As per an India Today report, Fasihuddin further said, “We will not let a civil war erupt. Those disturbing security and stability will be trampled and those opposing the Taliban will be arrested.”

Fasihuddin’s statements were later confirmed by Taliban spokesman Ahmadullah Muttaqi through a tweet mentioning that Afghanistan will “soon have a well-organized army and force”. He tweeted, “Afghanistan will soon have a well-organized army and force. Qari Fasihuddin, the Taliban’s chief of staff, said consultations were underway to form an army and that a regular army and force would be formed soon. He said the troops should be trained to defend Afghanistan.”

Who is Qari Fasihuddin?

Qari Fasihuddin is a Tajik and hails from Badakhshan, the last province in northern Afghanistan. Popularly known as the Conqueror of the North, Fasihuddin is praised for his successful war strategy. He is considered one of the most charismatic leaders and is the first Tajik to have made it to the military commission in the history of the Taliban. Fasihuddin was key to the Taliban’s advance in Badakhshan in north-east Afghanistan and “it is because of him that the entire Northern Alliance was toppled despite the fact that the Haqqani network and Mullah Yaqub, Mullah Baradar, and Mullah Haibatullah were from Kandahar, Helmand, Kunar, and Ghazni, where they faced a lot of resistance,” said a report.

The appointment of Fasihuddin as army chief came as shocking news to many as reports had emerged that Fasihuddin was killed during an airstrike in Wardoj district in 2019 as was announced by former president Ashraf Ghani’s government.