Qari Ehsanullah Baryal, a prominent Taliban military commander, assumed the role of Governor of Kapisa province on February 24, 2022. Before this position, he served as the Governor of Kabul province, a position he held since November 7, 2021. Prior to that, he briefly served as Chief of Staff of the 313 Central Military Corps in Kabul Province from September to November 2021.
With a long history in the Taliban's insurgency, including heading the Taliban's military council in northeastern Afghanistan, Qari Baryal is known to be a close affiliate of the Haqqani Network with long-standing ties to al-Qaeda. He commands significant influence among the Taliban ranks in Logar, Kabul, Parwan, and Kapisa provinces. Reports also suggest his previous association with the Hezb-e-Islami jihadist group led by warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. In 2009, Qari Baryal was involved in the kidnapping of two French journalists from Kapisa province. Despite his significant history, he is currently not listed on the United Nations or other sanctions list.
