Afghanistan War Veteran Dies in ICE Custody One Day After Arrest

"But one fact is clear: it is not normal for a healthy 41-year-old man to die within a day of being taken into government custody. Mr. Paktyawal survived our war in Afghanistan and trusted the United States enough to rebuild his life here."

"According to #AfghanEvac, Paktyawal joined the Afghan special forces in 2005 and fought alongside U.S. Army Special Forces for years in Paktika Province, one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan, during the U.S. occupation."

"When President Joe Biden ordered a chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces in August 2021, the U.S. evacuated Paktyawal and his family along more than 124,000 Afghans who assisted the U.S. and faced reprisals from the Taliban."

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old father of six and former Afghan special forces member who fought alongside U.S. Army Special Forces in Paktika Province, was arrested by ICE agents in unmarked vehicles in Texas on March 13, 2026. He was transported to a hospital after reporting shortness of breath and chest pains. His wife informed officers he used a rescue inhaler for asthma. Paktyawal died in custody the following day. He had been evacuated to the United States in 2021 following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, along with over 124,000 Afghans who assisted American forces. Veterans and advocacy groups express concern about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Read at Truthout