Tensions have risen sharply in Afghanistan’s Faryab province after the Taliban detention of several protesters in the Dawlat Abad district. According to Afghan media, the unrest began after young men were arrested for allegedly clashing with Taliban members over the harassment of girls during Eid.
Eyewitnesses said the arrests triggered a public outcry. On Monday, a large group of demonstrators marched toward the district police command. They chanted slogans in support of former vice president Abdul Rashid Dostum, shouting, “Long live Dostum!” Several protesters entered the police compound during the demonstration.
The protest quickly escalated. Taliban fighters, in response, began arresting more individuals. Independent sources confirmed that dozens were taken into custody during and after the protest. This wave of Taliban detention has left locals terrified. People are now avoiding the streets, fearing more arrests.
Some demonstrators reportedly forced their way inside the command building. This act provoked a strong reaction from Taliban forces. The area has since been sealed off. Local residents reported that Taliban members, many dressed in civilian clothes, are now conducting door-to-door searches.
One source described the ongoing situation as deeply tense. According to them, dozens more have been detained in the house raids. “Everyone is afraid. We don’t know who might be arrested next,” the source told Afghan media.
Video footage shared online shows large crowds gathered outside the command center. The exact number of those arrested remains uncertain. Some local sources claim around 100 people were detained. Others, reportedly close to the Taliban, said the number is closer to 35.
So far, no official statement has been made by the group regarding the incident or the mass Taliban detentions. Human rights observers say this latest crackdown highlights the increasing intolerance toward public dissent.
Locals described the Taliban response as harsh and swift. They say the heavy-handed tactics and mass arrests have spread fear across the town. Many are calling the situation a form of collective punishment.
Despite the lack of an official explanation, the Taliban detentions have drawn criticism from observers and activists. For now, Dawlat Abad remains locked down, and the community waits anxiously to see what will happen next.
