Afghanistan: Taliban conducts security sweep of Kabul, other cities

Aside from seeking to obtain international recognition as Afghanistan’s government, the Taliban is also faced with other security issues happening within the country. The insurgent group has conducted a door-to-door security search in Kabul and other cities to look for weapons and potential criminals.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced during a news conference Sunday that the insurgent group is conducting a door-to-door security sweep of Kabul and certain cities in Afghanistan. Officials will search homes for weapons and criminals that are blamed for a recent surge of robberies and kidnappings.

“We are trying to take steps against those kidnappers, thieves, and looters who have weapons in their hands and threaten the lives of people,” said Mujahid. Mujahid added that authorities found two kidnapping victims during the search, including two teenage girls chained in a basement.

Mujahid said that light and heavy weapons, radio equipment, explosives, and drones were also seized during the security sweep. Vehicles that belonged to the government were also found and seized during the search.

The operation started Friday last week. This led many to fear that they may be targeted by the group for their association with the previous Western-backed regime that collapsed during the military withdrawals of the US in August 2021.

Residents had mixed experiences when the searches were carried out, with some sharing on social media that their homes were trashed upon being searched. Others have shared that their experiences were polite.

Six people that are suspected to be members of the Islamic State militant group were also arrested, as well as nine kidnappers and 53 “professional thieves.” Mujahid assured that the security operation was not being done against the public and that the residents should be confident that the search was being done “carefully.”

This week, commerce ministers of both Afghanistan and Pakistan were announced to be holding talks over the Durand Line. The meeting came as there were instances of clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in the area, which is located in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.

From the clashes, 20 people were injured, and three people were killed.