KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Reports from Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province indicate that Taliban forces have suppressed a protest in Yaftal-e Payen district and opened fire on demonstrators.
According to local reports, the protest began before noon on Saturday (August 1) after Taliban members allegedly conducted a body search of a woman, prompting residents to gather in protest.
Videos circulating on social media appear to capture the sound of gunfire, while showing people carrying away individuals with bloodied bodies. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.
The BBC’s Dari service reported that at least four protesters were killed after Taliban forces opened fire on the crowd. However, local Taliban authorities and independent sources have not yet confirmed the casualty figures.
Yaftal-e Payen district has witnessed growing public discontent and an increase in attacks by armed groups opposed to the Taliban in recent months.
Earlier, a newly formed anti-Taliban group known as Sepahian-e Mihan, or Soldiers of the Homeland, briefly seized control of Yaftal-e Payeen district. The incident marked the first reported temporary loss of a district by the Taliban since it returned to power in 2021.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, multiple opposition armed groups were formed, with many still actively fighting in various provinces. The NRF and AFF, largely composed of former members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, have been particularly active in Kabul city, Panjshir province, and the northern regions of the country.
They have carried out guerrilla-style operations against the Taliban and claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks in recent years, saying they have killed and wounded hundreds of Taliban members across the country.
While the Taliban generally downplays the activities of such opposition groups and rarely provides detailed comments on individual attacks, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) regularly tracks and reports security incidents involving anti-Taliban groups in its quarterly updates to the U.N. Security Council.
The latest incident highlights continuing tensions in Badakhshan, where local grievances, security operations, and insurgent activity have contributed to a deteriorating security environment. If confirmed, the reported use of live fire against protesters is likely to intensify concerns over the Taliban’s handling of public demonstrations and civilian rights.
