Residents of Farah province have reported a sharp and unprecedented rise in armed robberies, sparking widespread concern among the population. They claim that many of these thefts occur near Taliban checkpoints and bases, yet the group has failed to address the issue. Some residents allege that Taliban fighters are directly involved in these incidents, which explains the group’s inaction and lack of accountability.
Ahmad, a Farah resident, states that armed robberies have escalated alarmingly in recent weeks, with the Taliban making no effort to stop them. He shares that thieves recently stole 80,000 Afghanis in cash from his shop.
Ahmad, who runs a business in the Bagh-e Pul area of Farah City, says, “Robberies have become widespread, and the people of Farah are suffering greatly. Not a day passes without a robbery. Armed thieves attack shops daily, seizing people’s possessions at gunpoint.”
He recounts a recent incident: “Last week, three men entered my shop and demanded everything I had. They searched my pockets and cash register, taking around 80,000 Afghanis in cash. The thieves also looted cash and valuables from my neighboring shops.”
Another resident, Fayaz, describes how armed thieves stole his Toyota Corolla Luxel. He explains, “It was nighttime, and I was returning home from the market when a group of armed men stopped me. I initially thought they were Taliban. When I stopped, they ordered me out of the car, threatened to shoot if I made any noise, and forcefully took the car keys before driving away.”
Jawad, a resident of Farah City, shares a similar story. He says armed men recently stole cash from several shops in the city center, near a Taliban security command center. After the theft, he went to a Taliban security office but received no response.
Speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, Jawad says, “They rob in broad daylight without fear. Between 9 and 10 in the morning, four men entered my shop, gathered all the cash, and left. They did the same to five or six of my neighboring shops, taking their cash before calmly driving away in their car.”
He adds, “Seven shops were robbed, and we shopkeepers went to the Taliban Police Station to report the incident shortly after it happened. But they told us to leave, saying they would follow up later.”
Some residents suspect that the Taliban themselves are involved in these robberies. They argue that such daylight thefts near Taliban security posts would not be possible without their complicity.
One resident, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily on condition of anonymity, claims, “The Taliban are behind these armed robberies. All the thefts occur near Taliban Police Stations, and the thieves use vehicles, turbans, and AK-47 rifles, which are characteristic of the Taliban.”
He continues, “If the thieves didn’t have support or weren’t themselves Taliban, how could they carry out robberies in the capital of the province, just 100 meters from Taliban posts? This is obvious. A regular Taliban fighter earns 10,000 Afghanis a month, yet they drive vehicles worth 500,000 to 700,000 Afghanis. I’m sure this money comes from what they steal from the people.”
The Taliban in Farah have not responded to public concerns or provided any comment to the media regarding the robberies. Previously, residents in Herat and Takhar provinces also expressed alarm over the rising thefts.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
افزایش سرقتهای مسلحانه باشندهگان فراه را به ستوه آورده است | روزنامه ۸صبح
