Taliban Disperses ‘Ashura Mourners’ in Kabul Using Violence
Pictures received by Afghanistan International from Kabul show that Taliban members firing aerial shots to disperse the mourners on Ashura Day in Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul.
These pictures show that a large crowd of Muharram mourners had come to the streets on the Day of Ashura.
Meanwhile, multiple sources told Afghanistan International that even telecommunication networks have been severed in Kabul on Friday.
The Taliban officials have not revealed details about the aerial shooting and snapping of telecommunication networks yet.
With the beginning of the month of Muharram, the Taliban imposed extensive restrictions on the Muharram ceremony under the guise of providing security. Taliban has limited the number of mosques and places for holding Muharram ceremonies and has banned installation of religious flags and mourning caravans in the streets.
Over the past few days, videos have been circulating which show Taliban members beating up Muharram mourners in Kabul.
Earlier, Khalid Zadran, the Taliban’s police spokesperson in Kabul, confirmed that the group had prevented the convoys of Muharram mourners in Kabul.
Khalid Zadran said, "Some caused disorder in public areas and roads in a disorganised manner and contrary to the sayings of the elders, which caused the security forces to stop them out of their responsibility and security."
Criticising the Taliban's restrictions on Muharram, the Shia Ulema Council of Afghanistan asked the group to lift the restrictions.
