Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, has warned security officials of the group that even a moment of negligence in carrying out their responsibilities could create conditions for the “success of the enemy and their own failure.”

Speaking on Thursday, September 17, at a security seminar in Kandahar, he said: “The slightest negligence on your part could lead to the success of the enemy and your failure. The enemy is trying to make you fail; therefore, be careful not to be negligent.”

He called on Taliban security officials to patrol the areas under their responsibility day and night and to take responsibility for addressing any security threats.

The Taliban leader also advised officials not to consider ethnicity, language, family ties or friendship when appointing people to positions, urging them instead to select qualified and capable individuals.

He called on officials to foster “spiritual morale” among Taliban forces, encourage them to pursue religious education and study, and refrain from punishing people accused of crimes without a court ruling.

In another part of his speech, he urged Taliban officials to “avoid greed for power and positions, arrogance and self-importance.” He also stressed the importance of coordination, cooperation, humility, piety, and preventing betrayal and the misuse of public funds.

The Taliban leader’s remarks come amid an increase in attacks by groups opposed to the Taliban in various Afghan provinces.

The United Nations said in a report on Afghanistan released the previous day that armed groups opposing the Taliban had claimed responsibility for 88 attacks in 21 provinces between May 1 and the end of July.