About 500 Afghan soldiers, officials and civilians are missing or killed after the Taliban launched a campaign to find people who previously collaborated with the government, The New York Times reported after conducting its own investigation.

The publication draws attention to the fact that the Taliban promised amnesty to former civil servants and members of the national security forces. However, in a number of cases these promises were broken.

The leaders of the movement insisted that they would be merciful to those who opposed them by declaring a general amnesty. Some even wrote letters of guarantee that they would not take revenge on their old opponents, says the opening remarks to the investigation.