Kabul residents have expressed concern over the recent rise in armed robberies. They say that thieves, dressed in Taliban uniforms, enter people’s homes under the pretext that their houses are “suspicious” and need to be searched, but then use this as an excuse to steal their belongings. According to residents, the surge in such thefts in Kabul has robbed people of peace during the day and sleep at night. They stress that these robberies in the capital are being led and organized by special groups within the Taliban.
Residents of Kabul, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, have complained about the current situation and accused the Taliban of failing to ensure security in the capital. They say that after two days of internet blackout and the return of refugees, most parts of Kabul have become increasingly unsafe.
Saalem, one of Kabul’s residents, complains about the rise in robberies across the city. He says that thefts in Kabul have not only become more frequent but are also being carried out in an organized and targeted manner. According to him, poverty, unemployment, and the misuse of weapons and authority by some Taliban fighters are among the main factors behind this situation.
This Kabul resident adds: “A large number of these robberies are selective and deliberate. Most are carried out by gangs led by Taliban commanders. The targets of these gangs are mainly money exchangers, investors, traders, and those who either oppose the Taliban or refuse to cooperate with them. Such incidents are increasingly planned and have taken on a more organized form.”
Saalem emphasizes: “During the Republic, there were ordinary thieves who stopped people on the streets with knives or pistols, but now robberies are completely planned, and even kidnappings are taking place. Behind many of these incidents are groups and individuals who threaten people into silence. That’s why this issue, like hundreds of others in Kabul, remains unspoken.”
Saamra, another resident from the Qala-e Nazer area of Kabul, says that the rise in thefts has taken away people’s peace of mind. She adds that the Taliban’s claims of ensuring security across the city are nothing but hollow slogans.
This Kabul resident says, “Three nights ago, five houses in our area were robbed. This incident forced our street representative to gather everyone and share the contact number of the 13th police district so people could call in case of danger or theft. But as the saying goes, what good is medicine after death? The Taliban only claim to ensure security.”
Saamra says, “Since refugees returned from Iran and Pakistan, thefts have increased. People, driven by hunger and unemployment, have turned to stealing. Early in the morning or late at night, whoever enters the alley is stopped and checked to make sure they’re not a thief. Thieves come on bicycles, steal people’s money, valuables, and mobile phones within moments, and there’s no authority to follow up.”
Sultanbeg, a resident of the Shahrara area in Kabul, says the rise in thefts has deeply disturbed the public’s sense of security. He adds: “The security situation in Kabul is poor; robberies have increased, and people no longer feel safe or protected. The city’s security has deteriorated. If this continues, the Taliban security institutions must act quickly to curb the insecurity. Those committing crimes and thefts should be punished. If security isn’t restored, people will have no choice but to leave Kabul for places where they can feel safe.”
Adel Qoyash, another resident of Kabul, warns that if the situation continues as it is, the security situation in the capital will become even more critical. He adds: “For some time now, Kabul’s security has worsened, and the rate of theft has risen sharply. If the Taliban fail to address this, more widespread security problems could emerge, making it impossible for people to live peacefully. Life in Kabul has become extremely difficult. I urge the Taliban to adopt a serious and organized plan to ensure security and prevent theft so that people can live and move around without fear.”
Asadullah, a resident of Kabul’s fifth district, says that he recently received his salary, but thieves stole it from him. He adds, “I had just received my salary, 25,000 Afghanis plus some extra, but it was stolen from my car. This is very worrying. Of course, it’s not entirely the thieves’ fault; in a city plagued by unemployment, theft becomes an ordinary part of life.”
Hasan, another Kabul resident, complains about rising thefts in the Khairkhana area and says, “Every night, one or two houses in Khairkhana are robbed. In the morning, you wake up and hear that this or that house has been looted.”
Saadeq, another resident of the city, holds a different view, saying that security has improved. He explains: “At first, the situation was more insecure; thieves didn’t just steal small things like phones or cash but even targeted vehicles and other large possessions. But after a while, security patrols increased, alleys were blocked, and as a result, the rate of thefts dropped significantly.”
Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had expressed grave concern over the misuse of Taliban uniforms to carry out armed robberies, extortion, and unlawful home intrusions.
Human Rights Watch has also reported that some residents have said that unidentified armed individuals, disguising themselves as Taliban members, have been robbing, threatening, and intimidating citizens.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
کابل در چنگال ناامنی؛ سرقتهای مسلحانه با لباس طالبان و افزایش نگرانی مرد
