Former Afghan Soldier Dies in US Immigration Custody in Texas

Mohammad Nazir Paktiawal, a 41-year-old former Afghan special forces soldier who worked with US forces, died in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas on March 14, less than 24 hours after his detention.

Paktiawal was arrested on Friday while taking his children to school in the Dallas suburbs, where he lived with his wife and six children, according to Sean Vandiver, head of Afghans Evac, an organization supporting Afghan refugees. Vandiver said Paktiawal, who had collaborated with US special forces including in operations and received commendations, died for unknown reasons after spending one night and day in custody.

Vandiver, who spoke with Paktiawal's family, described the death of a healthy 41-year-old man so soon after detention as "very unusual" and "not natural," vowing that Afghans Evac would seek answers. Family members told The Independent that Paktiawal called from the detention center saying he felt unwell and was admitted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas around 11:45 p.m. Friday. They were informed around noon the next day that he had died.

Paktiawal had worked alongside US special forces from 2005 and resettled in the US with his family in 2021 after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. His asylum case was ongoing, and he worked in a bakery, family members said.

Reuters reported that Paktiawal was the 12th person to die in ICE custody this year, following 31 deaths last year, the highest in two decades. US officials, the Department of Homeland Security, and Parkland Hospital have not commented on the incident.