Juma Khan Fateh
Afghan Taliban commander
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Juma Khan Fateh (born 1984 or 1985), known as Juma-e Talban, is an Afghan Taliban commander from Badakhshan.
Juma Khan Fateh | |
|---|---|
| جمعه خان فاتح | |
| Deputy Governor of Zabul | |
| Assumed office Early 2026–22 June 2026 | |
| Governor | Sher Mohammad Sharif |
| Succeeded by | Faizullah Tamim |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1984 or 1985 Shaakhdara, Nusay District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Taliban |
| Rank | Commander |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) |
Early life and education
Early career and hiding
Fateh worked for the HALO Trust from 2009 to 2013. Apart from that, he also became a singer, performing and playing tabla at community events. He also got elected as a member of the Shaakhdara village council for one year.[2]
Upon resigning from the HALO Trust demining organization, he planned to kill the HALO Trust boss in Jamarch, Nusay. However, the assassination attempt failed, causing him to flee to Khoi. Afterward, he and his colleagues stole the teacher's salary in Obghan. In 2014, he and several Shaakhdara left the village and sought refuge in the mountains.[2]
Taliban Insurgency era
Fateh joined the Taliban in an unknown year. Upon becoming a member of the Taliban, he went to Wurduj to undergo military and religious training. Upon completing the training, he earned the title of mullah. He then served as the Taliban's commander for Darwaz after the death of his predecessor, Islamuddin, due to the explosion of a homemade mine.[2] As a commander, he was known as a ruthless and eliminated his rivals within the Taliban.[1]
From 2016 to 2018, the Afghan police arrested Fateh and his five subordinates thrice. However, the police released him from all three detentions following mediation by the residents. During his imprisonment, he established a network with NDS agents who helped secure his release from jail.[2]
Fateh commanded the Taliban's attack in Nusay District and Maimay District in 2020. The attack in Maimay caused the Taliban to control the district for two days. The Afghan air force launched an airstrike toward him, and he survived, although it paralyzed his left hand and damaged his eye.[2]
Second Taliban government era
After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Fateh was appointed as the administrator of five Darwaz districts and called himself "Conqueror of the Darwaz Districts".[3][1] He gained more influence in Badakhshan after seizing weapons stockpiles from former governments.[1] His influence is further strengthened when Hibatullah Akhundzada appointed him as the commander of anti-poppy cultivation and drug-production facilities operation in Badakhshan in December 2024.[1] He claimed that he commanded 10.000 troops in Badakhshan, Takhar, and Kunduz.[3]
Fateh has a significant economic influence in Darwaz. He gained wealth from land seizures, extortion, and shares of the profits of all local businesses, especially gold mining.[1] He operated gold mining in the Shikai District.[4] he gained more wealth, which he spent on religious institutions, mosques, and luxurious vehicles.[5] He founded madrassas in Shekay, Maimay, Nusay, Kuf, and Khwahan.[6] Other than that, he also played a role in converting Chinese citizens in Badakhshan to Islam.[7]
In 2023, he released a video executing a person whom he accused of rebellion. In the video, he stated that those who rebelled against the Taliban government deserved to die. Later, he said in public gatherings that he would execute his father and brother if they conducted armed rebellion against the government.[5]
In early 2026, his position as administrator of five Darwaz districts was stripped due to a dispute over gold mines and his coercive behavior. Afterward, he was posted to Zabul, where he serves as deputy governor.[8][3] Although he served as Deputy Governor of Zabul, he still retains huge influence in Darwaz.[2] On 22 June 2026, he was dismissed as the Deputy Governor of Zabul and replaced in the position by Faizullah Tamim.[9]
Persecution of Ismaili
Fateh considered Ismailis as infidels that had no knowledge of religion. He and his men forced Ismailis to renounce their beliefs and convert to Sunni through coercion, intimidation, financial incentives, land seizure, and promises of employment. The Ismailis who refused to convert to Sunni were subjected to beating, imprisonment, death threats, and even execution.[5][10] However, he denied the allegation of converting Ismailis to Sunnis by force, claiming that they entered it voluntarily.[11]
To facilitate the conversion of Ismailis to Sunnism, Fateh ordered Ismaili families in Nusay to send at least one of their children to his madrassa and sent Sunni clerics to the local mosque. [12][1] He also ordered his men to raze the shrine of Ismaili figures in Parkhikh. Through his force conversion effort, there were approximately 100 Ismailis and Shias who converted to Sunni in 2025.[1] Some of the Ismailis who converted to Sunni are recruited as his personal bodyguards. The recruitment of former Ismailis was undertaken to encourage them to abandon their beliefs.[5]
Tension with the central government
The dispute over control of gold mining in Shekay District arose between the locals and the Fateh group. The local accused his group of seizing the gold deposits. Responding to the tension, the Taliban arrested the commander of Nusay, Musa Kaka, who is also part of Fateh's group, on 20 April 2026. As a result, around 200–300 Fateh troops moved to the mountainous area.[13][14] Moreover, he ordered local miners and his troops to switch off the mines when the Governor of Badakhshan, Ismail Ghaznawi, visited the mine on night. However, the governor visited the mine during the day and ordered Fateh to pay khums. Afterward, he hid all mining excavators and equipment and removed the tend.[13] Furthermore, the governor ordered to stop the gold mining operation in Badakhshan, leading to tension with the central government.[2] However, he refuted the rumor of tension between him and the central government and the arrest of his men during a speech in Juy Dara on 1 June 2026.[3]
The governor's decision to halt the gold-mining operation led Fateh to facilitate a demonstration by Nusay residents against the suspension.[15] The tension between the Taliban central government and Fateh continued as the negotiations stalled. Hibatullah labeled him a rebel and ordered the arrest of Fateh in Darwaz. In response to the arrest warrant, he and his troops prepared to resist the arrest.[16]
Personal life
Several of his relatives joined the Taliban. His brother, Abdul Fattah, serves as the commander in the Taliban ranks. Haji Mohammad Yasin Khadem, Fateh's maternal uncle, became deputy of the Taliban commissariat in Nusay district.[13]