Some residents of Nimruz province report that armed robberies have increased dramatically in recent times, with thieves brazenly stealing people’s property. They emphasize that thieves, under cover of night, forcibly take people’s belongings near Taliban checkpoints and security zones. According to them, despite the Taliban’s claim of ensuring overall security and improving the economic situation, no action has been taken in Zaranj City, and the trend of armed theft continues to rise.
A significant number of Nimruz residents complain about the difficult living conditions in the province. They state that Taliban governance has turned life into hell for the people here, and armed robberies have become a nightmare for residents of this province.
According to local accounts, theft of cars, motorcycles, and mobile phones at gunpoint, with robbers shooting towards individuals, is a major concern for Zaranj residents. They claim that the Taliban have not taken necessary measures to curb these thieves.
Ahmad, a resident of Zaranj, was attacked by armed robbers last week while heading home near the former Nimruz airport. He was injured during the attack when he attempted to flee, and armed thieves took his car.
Ahmad recounts, “It was nearly 10 PM when I was heading home, and three individuals ordered me to stop at the old airport. Initially, I thought they were Taliban, but as they approached and lowered my car’s window glass, one of them pulled out his gun and said, ‘Get down!’ I tried to escape, but he fired, hitting my hand.”
“After being injured, they took away my car, and despite the gunfire being loud and Taliban security nearby, no one came to help. I was both injured and had my car stolen.”
Ajmal, a resident of the first district of Zaranj, was injured by knife-wielding thieves who also took away his mobile phone. He explains, “At 10 AM, when I left home heading towards the market, two motorcyclists stopped me and demanded my phone as I entered the alley. Despite seeing their knives, I refrained from giving them my phone.”
Ajmal emphasizes that a physical altercation ensued when he resisted giving them his phone, and after being stabbed by the knife, the thieves successfully took away his mobile phone.
Ibrahim, another resident of Zaranj City, has had his car stolen by thieves. He says his car went missing from a wedding hall in the presence of armed individuals claiming affiliation with the Taliban.
This Zaranj resident adds, “It was a wedding of one of my relatives, and I had gone there with my car. When I stepped out of the hall, I noticed my car was gone, despite Taliban military vehicles being present there. Thieves took advantage of the situation and took my car without any difficulty.”
Ibrahim claims that between 3 to 5 cars are stolen daily by thieves in Zaranj, and the Taliban have taken no action in this regard.
Meanwhile, some Nimruz residents have provided footage from security cameras installed in their homes to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, showing thieves calmly stealing near Taliban checkpoints.
In one video from Zaranj, recorded within 300 meters of a Taliban security zone, thieves are seen engaging in a knife fight with a young man and stealing his phone.
This altercation between a Nimruz resident and armed thieves lasts at least five to six minutes, after which the thieves manage to injure the young man and take away his mobile phone.
However, despite Taliban claims of ensuring nationwide security, they have informed Nimruz residents that they are unable to control thefts, and the rate of criminal activities continues to rise.
Mohammad Ewaz Sharifi (pseudonym), a prominent figure in Nimruz, says that people’s livelihoods are being stolen at night and even in broad daylight, and the Taliban have so far been unable to control it.
This prominent figure adds, “The situation has deteriorated significantly, to the point where people cannot park their cars anywhere or even carry their phones with them in the city. There are so many thefts happening that it seems there’s a thief or two sitting on every street corner.”
This prominent figure urges the Taliban to address the concerns of the people. He emphasizes that if thefts are not curbed, people will conclude that individuals within this group are complicit with the thieves.
Armed robberies have increased in Nimruz province at a time when thousands of refugees from Iran are being forcibly expelled through this province daily, unable to afford the cost of returning to their homes.
Over the past nearly three years, the Taliban have not only failed to prevent the expulsion of migrants from neighboring countries but also have been unsuccessful in creating job opportunities and employment for the country’s citizens. The poor economic situation, increasing poverty, and ongoing unemployment are major factors contributing to armed robberies.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
طالبان و ادعای تامین امنیت؛ سرقتها خواب را از چشمان باشندهگان نیمروز ربوده است | روزنامه ۸صبح
