Speaking at a press briefing in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of the northern Balkh province, on Saturday, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Balkh police said that the group’s forces have arrested a total of 1143 people, including 133 women, on different charges in the province over the past one year.
“These people have been arrested on charges of murder, robbery, kidnapping, running away from home, and other criminal actions,” said Mohammad Asif Waziri, spokesperson for the Taliban’s police in Balkh. “133 women are also among the arrestees whose dossiers have been sent to the justice and judicial organs for further processing,” he added.
According to the local Taliban official, a total of 14 people were arrested in connections with six blasts hit Balkh province over the past one year.
He further claimed that the Taliban forces have managed to release 24 people from the custody of the kidnappers during the past year.
Contrary to the Taliban’s claims, local residents in Balkh have repeatedly complained over the deteriorating security situation in the province, calling on the group’s authorities to take more serious actions in ensuring security.
