#AfghanEvac@afghanevac
Statement from AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver – March 15, 2026
Regarding the in-custody death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal
AfghanEvac is deeply disturbed by the death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, an Afghan wartime ally who died less than 24 hours after being taken into ICE custody in the Dallas area.
Mr. Paktyawal was a husband and father of six who worked alongside U.S. Army Special Forces, including 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), in Paktika province beginning in 2005. After the fall of Afghanistan, he and his family were evacuated by the United States on August 30, 2021.
He had been living in Richardson, Texas, working and supporting his family while his asylum case remained pending.
According to family members, he was detained by federal agents on the morning of March 13 while leaving to drop his children off at school. Later that night he told relatives from ICE custody that he was not feeling well. Less than 24 hours after being taken into custody, his family was informed that he had died.
The cause of death is unknown.
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.
His family deserves answers. The American public deserves answers. The U.S. service members who fought alongside Afghan partners deserve answers.
AfghanEvac is calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances of his detention, medical care, and death, including oversight by the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General and Congress.
The United States made a promise to the Afghans who stood with us. Honoring that promise requires transparency, accountability, and dignity in how they are treated here at home.
This moment demands nothing less.
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