Amid Taliban control, Takhar residents face escalating insecurity and armed crime

Over the past three years, the Taliban have consistently claimed to have achieved national security and eliminated criminal gangs and networks, often emphasizing these claims to the world community and the people of Afghanistan. However, these claims come amid a significant increase in insecurity and armed robberies in Takhar province, causing serious concerns among residents.

Many Takhar residents accuse the Taliban of failing to reduce armed robberies and ensure security. They note that even after more than three years, a significant number of the group’s members, especially those called the Taliban Police, do not wear military uniforms. This lack of uniformity complicates the distinction between their fighters and actual criminals.

Residents report cases of armed thieves dressing up as Taliban members while carrying out robberies and kidnappings. They cite an incident that took place just 200 meters from the intelligence building, the Taliban governor’s office, the police command and near the second security district in Taloqan, the provincial capital. They say the kidnappers shot dead an 18-year-old boy and abducted his 10-year-old brother in broad daylight, spreading fear in the community.

Najibullah, a resident of the Fourth District of Taloqan City, said that about a month ago, four unidentified armed individuals disguised as Taliban members shot and killed his 18-year-old son while he was returning home from school around 12:30 p.m. They also kidnapped his 10-year-old son. In an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, he stated: “The armed kidnappers initially threatened my family and me with death. They demanded that I pay them $200,000. When I refused, a few days later they killed one of my sons in broad daylight and kidnapped the other. There is no security. If there was security, how would armed individuals dare to kill and kidnap in broad daylight, just a stone’s throw from a security area, in front of people? He added that more than a month has passed without any information about his kidnapped son, and that the Taliban have failed to arrest the perpetrators or rescue his child.

Another resident of the First District of Taloqan City, Maqsoud, discussed the increasing armed robberies in the province with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, saying: “It was evening; I closed my shop and went home. On the way, two people on a motorcycle approached me, hit me on the head with the butt of a gun and threatened me with death. They stole my phone and money and fled.” He further noted that the Taliban have not responded to attempts to identify or arrest the armed robbers, stating that he has not been able to contact them for two weeks.

This resident said: “Out of fear I cannot ask the Taliban who these individuals were or why they did this to me. Since they are not addressing people’s problems, I suspect that the Taliban themselves are complicit with the thieves. If these actions are the work of thieves, why are they not arrested?”

Jawed, a resident of Baharak district in Takhar province, shared a similar account of an armed robbery. He stated that armed thieves stole his car and two mobile phones in late September while he was traveling between Taloqan and the districts beyond the Kokcha River. He said: “The robbers told me they were from Baharak Police Command and that they had to search me and my car. When I got out of the vehicle, they hit me with the butt of an AK-47, knocking me unconscious. When I woke up, neither my car nor my belongings were there.”

In addition, several citizen activists in Takhar are calling for better security. Sayed Ahmad Atef, a civil activist, noted in an interview with the Hasht-e Subh Daily: “Unfortunately, armed robberies, mysterious killings and kidnappings have increased in Takhar. What people expected most was safety and psychological peace; However, despite promises from local Taliban officials, this has not been delivered, further heightening public concern.”

This citizen activist urged the Taliban police, who are responsible for the security of citizens in Takhar, to address the people’s problems and curb the rise of armed robberies.

In response, Taliban security officials from the Takhar Police Command denied residents’ allegations about their members’ involvement in armed robberies, mysterious killings and kidnappings. They stated that they always strive to identify the perpetrators of criminal offenses and that they have arrested many individuals, with the cases transferred to the judicial authorities.

Abdul Mobin Safi, the spokesman for the Taliban Police Command in Takhar, said: “In the past two months, we have arrested more than 56 persons on charges of armed robbery and other criminal offenses. Anyone who commits theft and disrupts the security of the people will, God willing, be dealt with seriously. We assure the people of Takhar to continue living their lives peacefully and without worries.” He also urged residents to cooperate with local officials and Taliban security forces in unmasking thieves and kidnappers.

Jan Muhammad Hamza, known as Mullah Jano, the Taliban’s Pashtun commander for Takhar province, is reportedly close to Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, and is said to be a trusted person of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the top leader of the group. He is a resident of Ishkamish district of Takhar. According to residents, he has failed to guarantee safety in Takhar.

Some residents say that since he was appointed Takhar police chief by the Taliban, he has failed to prevent insecurity, armed robberies and kidnappings, making life more difficult than ever for residents.

As the number of armed robberies in Takhar increases, so do poverty and unemployment. Experts suggest that one of the most effective ways to reduce crimes is to create employment opportunities for the people; however, the Taliban have made no efforts in this area since they took power three years ago.

You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:

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