ISLAMABAD: Taliban forces opened fire on protesters in the western Afghan city of Herat on Tuesday, wounding multiple people and triggering a broader security crackdown that included reported arrests and visits to hospitals to detain injured protesters, according to Amu TV.
The protests began in Herat's Jibril area after reports emerged of a wave of arrests targeting women by Taliban.
Hundreds of people gathered to denounce the detentions before Taliban security forces moved to disperse the crowd.
The mounting anger over reports that women and girls in Herat were being detained for purportedly violating the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic dress regulations.
The shooting occurred near an intersection known as “Bahar-e Zendagi” as protesters marched through the area.
Taliban forces fired live ammunition at protesters. Afghanistan International qouting an eyewitness stated that he personally saw one dead person and at least 22 wounded individuals after the confrontation.
No official casualty figures have been released, and the exact number of people injured or detained remains unclear.
Protesters arrested
According to Afghanistan International, Taliban authorities subsequently arrested a number of protesters.
Qouting sources, Afghanistan International reported that Taliban personnel visited hospitals in Herat in an effort to identify and detain injured protesters receiving medical treatment.
Flyers circulated across Herat on Monday called on residents to assemble at 8 am in District 13 of Jibrail township to condemn the arrests.
Qouting witnesses it reported that crowds gathered despite the risk of retaliation from Taliban authorities.
Taliban forces reportedly deployed additional personnel across the Jibril and nearby Jami' areas of the city.
Residents described a heightened security presence, with increased checkpoints and patrols.
'Deeply alarmed'
This incident has drawn international concern as well.
Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, said Monday he was "deeply alarmed" by reports that scores of women had been detained in Herat for a third consecutive day over alleged dress code violations.
The issue was also raised before the UN Security Council.
Georgette Gagnon, acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, cited reports that about 30 women had been detained in Herat by Taliban morality police and law enforcement personnel.
The Herat protest appeared to be among the largest public demonstrations in recent months opposing the Taliban’s enforcement of these restrictions.
