In February and March 2000, after a short period of conflict between the Taliban and The Union Front forces, the latter withdrew, enabling the Taliban to seize control of the Gosfandi Districts in Sar-e-Pol province. The Taliban forces then were conducting a clean-up operation, and a group of elders from Khassaar Village decided to meet with the senior Taliban to seek security guarantees for the civilian population. Agha Dekhan led the delegation. Abdul Manan Hanafi (front commander, also referred to as governor) was the senior Talib in the area. He was accompanied by his deputy, Aminullah Amin. Hanafi refused to see the elders. He sent Amin to arrest them and have them executed. Amin intercepted the group and took them to Boldiyon, where a group of Taliban shot them in a firing squad.