The Taliban on Friday detained Ismail Khan, a veteran warlord who recently became the face of Herat resistance against the Taliban. Other senior government officials were also captured along with him a day after the Taliban took control of Herat, the third-largest city in the country. 

Khan confirmed the capture and said he had joined the Taliban along with thousands of his supporters. He also added he is safe and was not harmed. Several videos and pictures circulating on social media platforms showed him along with Taliban fighters. He has been seen talking comfortably to Taliban leaders in those videos.

Several local journalists reported that he decided to stop fighting when it became he could not save the city and the fighting would only destroy the city, which is the biggest industrial town in the country’s west. Local elders and businessmen had also asked him to protect the city's infrastructure. 
 
Taliban has also said that they will not pose any danger to surrendered government officials and soldiers. 

In the 1980s, Khan rose to prominence when led the resistance against Soviet troops. Over the decade, he became one of the most charismatic and influential leaders in western Afghanistan. 

Importantly, this is the second time when he was captured alive by the Taliban. In 1998, the Taliban had captured him for the first time. However, he later managed to escape from prison. 

Meanwhile, the Taliban captured another three provincial capitals in Afghanistan on Friday, completing their sweep of the country’s south in a lightning offensive that is gradually encircling Kabul, just weeks before the U.S. is set to officially end its two-decade war.

Entire Afghan forces capitulated within a week of the Taliban renewing their offensives in the north. After week-long brutal fighting in Kandahar and Helmand, the Taliban managed to take control of two of the most significant southern provinces.

Logar, the home province of Afghan President Ghani, has also reportedly fallen to the Taliban, who are now just 90 km away from Kabul. 

Media reports suggested President Ghani wss holding a crucial security meeting with senior government officials and was expected to address the nation either Friday or Saturday. 

(SAM)