Several Kabul residents are complaining about the repeated release of thieves detained by the Taliban. They say that detained individuals are released after a short period and resume their criminal activities. According to residents, these individuals are released in exchange for payments made to the Taliban, and in some cases, individuals affiliated with the group are even directly or indirectly involved in the thefts.
Residents add that they have repeatedly detained thieves and handed them over to Taliban forces, but these individuals have been released again shortly afterward. According to them, some thieves, after their release, have threatened those who played a role in their detention and have begun personal feuds with them.
These residents, speaking with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, say that in some cases, thieves collude with the Taliban in an organized manner to target the homes of wealthy people and divide the stolen property among themselves. According to them, if Taliban officials do not deal seriously and transparently with those responsible for thefts and those who facilitate their release, the crime rate in the capital will continue to rise, and the sense of insecurity among citizens will intensify.
Hassan, one of the Kabul residents, expresses concern over the repeated short-term release of thieves by the Taliban. He says the Taliban are responsible for the lives and property of the people, but instead of ensuring security, they play a role in some of the thefts. He emphasizes that without such involvement, ordinary criminals would not be able to carry out thefts so easily, given the patrols conducted by Taliban forces and the installation of security cameras.
This Kabul resident adds: “Some time ago, our neighbor’s house was robbed. Residents managed to detain two of the thieves and hand them over to the Taliban, but less than two months later, these individuals were released again. After that, our neighbor was threatened by the same thieves and was forced to go to Iran to protect his life. The process of handling theft cases is also marked by delays and disorganization, and in many cases, no clear outcome is reached.”
Sahel, another Kabul resident, says he, too, has witnessed several thieves being released after detention by the Taliban. He adds that it is unclear why detained individuals are released after a short time and continue their theft activities.
Sahel says, “We don’t know what happens at the [Taliban] police stations; they catch a thief, then release him again. I have a cart where I sell sandals, and every day, ten to fifteen people come to me saying thieves have taken their sandals. Today, five people came whose sandals had been stolen. If thieves are given the opportunity, they will steal again. I myself have seen a thief caught at a police station and then released again.”
Atiqullah, another Kabul resident, claims that some Taliban security stations are involved in several thefts. He says thieves, in cooperation with individuals inside these stations, target the homes of wealthy people, and the stolen property is divided among them.
This Kabul resident adds: “Thieves monitor the homes of wealthy people in various areas and carry out robberies. Some time ago, the house of a money changer was robbed, and some individuals connected to the Taliban were also involved in this incident. The money changer was threatened that if he raised his voice, his child would be killed. For this reason, he left his personal home and now lives in a residential block to have security.”
Gulagha, another Kabul resident, says that thefts in the city have increased unprecedentedly, and people have lost the sense of calm they once had. He adds that the Taliban do not pay sufficient attention to such cases, and citizens’ complaints are not properly addressed.
This Kabul resident adds: “In Kabul, people are severely fed up with theft, especially in Dasht-e Barchi and other Shia-populated areas. If this trend continues, the city may descend into complete looting and plunder. Even at night, after eight o’clock, no one dares to go out.”
Since retaking control of Kabul, the Taliban have repeatedly spoken of ensuring “lasting security” throughout Afghanistan, particularly in the capital. However, the rise in armed robberies in Kabul has called these claims into question.
According to residents, in many cases, armed thieves steal vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and mobile phones from citizens, and in cases of resistance, they injure victims and sometimes even kill them.
Nevertheless, in their speeches and statements, the Taliban continue to emphasize that security is being ensured, while denying or downplaying the occurrence of such incidents.
At the same time, the “Global Peace Index 2025” report presents a troubling picture of the security situation in Afghanistan. According to this report, Afghanistan remains among the most unstable countries in the world, ranked as the fifth most insecure country globally and the most unstable country in South Asia. In terms of safety and security, Afghanistan ranks 163rd, placing it among the lowest globally, with the level of peace in the country having declined by 0.28 percent. In addition, Afghanistan has received the worst possible score, 5 out of 5, in critical indicators.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
افزایش سرقت در کابل؛ باشندهگان: طالبان دزدان را در بدل پول رها میکنند
