THE Taliban has a “kill list” targeting the LGBT community in Afghanistan, Canadian NGO Rainbow Railroad said today, and is ramping up persecution.

“This is a really scary time to be in Afghanistan,” spokesman Kimahli Powell said.

“We now know for sure the Taliban has a ‘kill list’ circulating, identifying LBTQI+ persons.”

He said the Islamist group, which regained power in Afghanistan in August, had gained the information by paying close attention to the names of people that human rights groups were helping to evacuate.

“After the fall of Kabul, there was a lot of information-sharing,” he said, explaining that those left behind were vulnerable as their identities had been exposed.

Personal information has been leaked to the Taliban, while others have been victims of entrapment.

“[Some] individuals who have reached out to us have told us about how they’ve received a mystery email from someone claiming to be connected with Rainbow Railroad asking for their information and passport.

“That’s how we know the information has been leaked,” Mr Powell said.

The Taliban’s policy on homosexuality remains unclear, although reports suggest that the group will implement a strict interpretation of sharia law that could mean the death penalty for those who fall foul of it.