Commander Haji Mullah Achakzai, ex-police chief of
 Bala Murghab district of Badghis province,
 was executed by the Taliban in Herat

Horrifying video reportedly shows Afghan police chief executed by Taliban

The video circulated online appears to show General Haji Mullah Achakzai handcuffed while two men in the background have a discussion

By Edward Era Barbacena

Kabul - Disturbing footage has emerged of an Afghan police chief being executed by the Taliban — after he surrendered to the militants, according to reports.

Former BBC journalist Nasrin Nawa posted the gruesome video which appears to show Haji Mullah Achakzai, head of the police in Badghis province near Herat.

The man is seen in the clip blindfolded and kneeling before several bullets ring out and his lifeless body flops onto the ground.

“This is their public amnesty,” Nawa wrote, referring to the Taliban’s declaration this week amid the insurgents’ attempts to present a moderate face after sweeping to power.

The police chief was reportedly arrested by the Taliban during their blitz across the country on the way to the capital of Kabul, where they toppled the government on Sunday.

The group shared the distressing clip through a Taliban-related network, Afghan security adviser Nasser Waziri told Newsweek, adding that the footage was verified by other police officers and government officials.

The Taliban had been on the lookout for Achakzai after he fought the extremists alongside the Afghan government, according to the magazine.

“He was surrounded by the Taliban and had no choice but to surrender last night,” Waziri, who also posted the clip, told Newsweek. “The Taliban targeted Achakzai because he was a high-ranking intelligence official.”

Waziri said that he and other senior advisers have set up a private group chat online of dozens of Afghan officials who used to work with the civil government to check on the whereabouts of each person and make sure they are safe.

One of Waziri’s friends, a district governor, has been hiding in Kabul as the Taliban recently visited some of his relatives in Nurstin province, Newsweek reported.

“They [the Taliban] took the family out of their house and hit them so that they could give information on which city he can be,” Waziri told the outlet.

The Taliban have claimed that there would be no acts of vengeance or reprisal against former enemies after their takeover of the war-torn country.