RASC News Agency: Sources from Barlas village in the Argo district of Badakhshan report that Taliban intelligence forces conducted house-to-house searches, arresting 12 residents following local protests. A day after the protests ended, Taliban intelligence descended on the village, initiating a systematic search. Reports indicate that any young men found are being detained.
The raids began on the morning of Thursday, May 16th, and are based on a pre-prepared list of suspected protesters. The 219th Omar Saeed Brigade in Badakhshan is reported to be assisting in these operations. Amid the terrifying situation, some young men have fled Barlas village to avoid arrest by the Taliban.
The residents of Barlas in Argo district staged large-scale protests after three villagers were killed and five injured by Taliban forces. This incident triggered a public uprising against the Taliban. Previously, local sources reported that the Taliban had airlifted 50 protesters to Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan, but the fate of those detained remains unknown.
- Local Taliban authorities have not commented on these incidents. However, the 219th Brigade has confirmed the arrests but has not disclosed the number of those detained. Residents accuse the Taliban’s counter-narcotics forces of misconduct and forcibly entering their homes.
