 The Taliban were able to surround Mazar-i Sharif from the rear, capturing Hairatan directly across from Termez on September 20.The Taliban then proceeded to enter the city where they executed approximately 4,000 civilians mostly of Hazara ethnic or Shia religious background.The Taliban, for the next 6 days were reported to have gone door to door looking for male Hazara Shias and then subsequently executing them.