The use of child soldiers by the Taliban in Afghanistan has shocked the world. A video released by the fundamentalist group shows a boy of barely 12 years beheading a man. Before executing the captive, the lad featured seen denouncing him as an American spy. The religious flavor is visible in the drama with intermittent cries of “God is great!’.
The film circulated in Pakistan’s Peshawar city, records the punishment meted out to Ghulam Nabi, a Pakistani Taliban radical who was accused of ditching his boss Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Osmani for the lure of money. Osmani was eventually killed by American air strike in December.
The video is used by the hardliners as a propaganda tool. Its authenticity raises many concerns. For the first time, the Taliban uses the doctored act of a child executioner to further its terrorist agenda. The captive is also featured blindfolded confessing his sin before being murdered. The 2 1/2 minute shot is swamped with Jehadi songs played in the background. Nabi is shown lying on the ground and a baby faced boy dressed in military attire cuts in to his throat.
A background voice in Pashto identifies the victim by his name and domicile. Even the father of Nabi confirmed his killing. He also disclosed that his son was a loyal Taliban fighter and often sheltered his leaders in his family house. He decried Taliban and swore to avenge his son’s murder. The bereaved father was quoted saying,
The Taliban are not mujahedeen. They are not fighting for the cause of Islam. If I got my hands on them I would kill them and even tear their flesh with my own teeth.
The film seems to be shot in the remote tribal region of Pakistan’s North West. Here the government has no control and the tribal militias hold the reign. In such an atmosphere the execution is not a surprise. The region is infamous for sheltering al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorists. Quite often, the pro-government chaps are murdered in the area.
But, the photo of a boy executioner is used for the first time by the Taliban to further its propaganda. The human right organizations in Pakistan and world over have denounced such an act as utmost barbarian and anti-Islam. The film also confirms recruitment of children combatants by the Jehadi forces.
Via:Chron
