Who He Was

Name: Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal

Date of Birth: May 25, 1984

Age: 41

Family: Married, father of six children

• Oldest child: 15

• Youngest child: 18 months

• One child is a U.S. citizen

Residence: Richardson, Texas

Employment: Golden Star Halal Market, Afghan Bakery & Cafe (Dallas area)

Primary provider for his family

Service Alongside U.S. Forces

• Served as an Afghan special forces soldier beginning in 2005

• Worked alongside U.S. Army Special Forces

• Partnered with 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)

• Operated in Paktika province, one of the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan

• Worked with U.S. forces for more than a decade

Evacuation and Immigration Status

• Evacuated by the United States: August 30, 2021

• Entered the United States through the official evacuation process

• Resettled through Catholic Charities

• Applied for asylum

• Completed USCIS asylum interview

• Case remained pending

• Held work authorization and a Social Security number

Mr. Paktyawal and his family did not enter the United States illegally and were complying with the U.S. immigration process.

Timeline of Events

March 13, 2026 — Approximately 7:00 AM

• Mr. Paktyawal was outside his apartment preparing to drive his children to school.

• According to family members, multiple agents in unmarked vehicles surrounded him.

• He was detained in front of his children.

• Family members report that his wife informed officers he relied on an inhaler and attempted to provide it at the scene.

• According to the family, the inhaler was not accepted or provided to him.

Later that day

• Mr. Paktyawal contacted family members from ICE custody.

• He reported that he was not feeling well.

March 13 — Approximately 11:45 PM

• Mr. Paktyawal was admitted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, according to information provided to the family, for shortness of breath.

Morning of March 14

• Family members were told he was still alive around 8:00 AM.

9:10am March 14

• Nazeer was pronounced dead.

By approximately 12:00pm March 14

• The family was informed that he had died.

Current Status

• Cause of death: Unknown

• Body location: Parkland Hospital, Dallas

• Family seeking answers

Medical Concerns

New information from the family indicates that Mr. Paktyawal sometimes relied on an inhaler for breathing issues, particularly during exertion.

The family has provided a photo of the inhaler, which appears to be an albuterol rescue inhaler commonly used for asthma or similar conditions.

His wife reports that she informed officers at the time of his arrest and afterward, but says she was not allowed to provide the inhaler to him.

AfghanEvac is continuing to seek additional details, including any prescription history and documentation of requests for medical assistance. These questions are central to understanding the medical care he did or did not receive while in custody.

ICE and DHS Statements

On March 15 and March 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security released public statements regarding the death of Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal.

These statements referenced allegations related to fraud and theft. DHS further stated that Mr. Paktyawal had been charged in Texas with SNAP fraud and arrested in a separate theft case. According to DHS, neither case had been heard in court at the time of his death.

AfghanEvac is aware of these claims but does not yet know the full circumstances surrounding those allegations.

These matters had not been adjudicated, and Mr. Paktyawal had not been convicted of any crimes at the time of his death.

Allegations are not convictions.

Regardless of the status of any pending cases, Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal died less than 24 hours after entering ICE custody. He should still be alive.

His family deserves answers.

Key Questions

Several critical questions remain unanswered:

• Why was Mr. Paktyawal detained?

• What medical care did he receive while detained?

• When did ICE first become aware of his medical condition?

• Why was the inhaler not provided if it was available?

• What events led to his transfer to Parkland Hospital?

• What caused his death?

Why This Case Matters

It is highly unusual for a 41-year-old man to die less than 24 hours after being taken into government custody, particularly where there are emerging questions about access to medical care.

Mr. Paktyawal survived war in Afghanistan and trusted the United States enough to rebuild his life here.

His family deserves answers.

AfghanEvac Position

AfghanEvac is calling for an immediate and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paktyawal’s detention, medical care, and death.

This investigation should include:

• The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General

• Congressional oversight

More information available at https://go.afghanevac.org/nazeer

AfghanEvac Statement: https://go.afghanevac.org/nazeer-statement