While clashes between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are concentrated in Kabul, southern, and eastern Afghanistan, two credible sources told IntelMedium that Mohammad Yusuf Wafa—one of the Taliban’s most key figures—has not returned to his office in Balkh since the start of Pakistani airstrikes.
A reliable source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, told IntelMedium:
“Mohammad Yusuf Wafa, who is considered the most powerful governor within the Taliban and the closest figure to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, fled Balkh after Pakistani fighter jet bombardments, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.”
A former intelligence source also told IntelMedium that “in recent months, Indian intelligence delegations have met several times with Yusuf Wafa in northern Afghanistan.”
This comes as most Taliban leaders and commanders reportedly spend their nights in different and often public locations to avoid being targeted by Pakistani airstrikes.