Every time Abdullah Shirzad passes a checkpoint of Islamic State group fighters, he fears he is about to die.
The teacher begins reciting the Quran and praying the fanatics pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will let him pass unmolested.
In the three years since jihadists loyal to Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (Isil) first appeared in his native Nangarhar province, they have terrorised it with the imposition of their extremist ideology.
It is a creed that brands almost all the population as apostates who can be punished by death, and is so severe, locals say it has made the fearsome Taliban seem lenient in comparison.
The people of Nangarhar now find themselves caught between two…
To continue reading this article
Start a 30-day free trial for unlimited access to Premium articles
- Unlimited access to Premium articles
- Subscriber-only events and experiences
- Cancel any time
Free for 30 days
then only £2 per week
Try Premium
Save 25% with an annual subscription
Just £75 per year
Save now
Register for free and access one Premium article per week
Register
Only subscribers have unlimited access to Premium articles.Register for free to continue reading this article
RegisterOr unlock all Premium articles.
Free for 30 days, then just £1 per week
Start trial
Save 40% when you pay annually.
View all subscription options |
Already have an account? Login