In February and March 2000, following a brief period of conflict between the Taliban and The Union Front forces, the latter retreated, allowing the Taliban to take control of the Gosfandi District in Sar-e-Pol province. The Taliban were provided with food in the village mosque upon arriving at Yoltarab Village in Gosfandi District. They proceeded to search houses. Approximately 90 adult males from the community were gathered and detained in Hatam Bay's residence. The inmates were screened, with seniors being released and around 26 men being held. They held them overnight in a village house. The following day, a squad of Taliban combatants transported the remaining detainees to a location in Tatar village. They arranged them next to a ditch and then fired at them. Four of the prisoners who were shot in the firing squad survived after being wounded and left for dead.