Insurgents Attack Taliban in Afghanistan, Claim to Have Downed Two Drones

Insurgents from the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) attacked Taliban forces in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, which borders Pakistan and Tajikistan.

According to the AFF, the operation began on the morning of Thursday, July 23, 2026, and was still ongoing as of July 24.

The group claims Taliban losses of 21 fighters killed and at least 37 wounded.

The fighting began in Zebak District, where, according to the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), its forces captured positions on the surrounding high ground.

“So far, several Taliban attempts to recapture the liberated strategic positions have failed. Each time, the group has suffered significant losses and has been forced to retreat to its own positions,” the AFF stated.

The Taliban-affiliated Afghan outlet Hurriyat Radio, citing the press service of the 219th Division of the 207th Corps of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Army, reported that five insurgents were killed.

According to the report, Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) fighters attempted to cross the border from Pakistan into Badakhshan Province to carry out what it described as destabilizing activities.

They also alleged that the insurgents had been provided with a base in Pakistan’s Chitral District by the Pakistani military and had planned to enter Zebak District in Badakhshan Province via Shah Salim.

On July 25, 2026, Afghan journalist Bilal Sarwary wrote on X that the fighting had lasted for more than 20 hours and that the Taliban had deployed drones, which were reportedly shot down. The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) later published footage showing the alleged drone wreckage.

On July 21, Bilal Sarwary reported on X that insurgents from the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) had temporarily captured the Yaftal-e Sufla District in Badakhshan.

According to him, approximately 20–25 insurgents entered the district administration building and the police headquarters, where they “disarmed the Taliban, lowered the Taliban flag, seized weapons, vehicles and equipment, and withdrew before reinforcements arrived.”

“It was a clear victory. It was the first reported temporary capture of a district center by anti-Taliban forces since August 2021,” Bilal Sarwary wrote on X.

Afghanistan Freedom Front

The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) is led by General Mohammad Yasin Zia, who served as Chief of the General Staff of the Afghan National Army and acting Minister of Defense at the time of the collapse of the Afghan government in 2021.

He founded it in March 2022. The AFF leadership council consists of approximately 50 members who head several committees dealing with areas such as foreign policy, as well as cultural and religious affairs.