The Taliban fired shots into the air to disperse protesters who came out against Pakistan meddling in Afghanistan affairs. The Taliban have also arrested journalists and cameramen who were covering the protests in the capital city of Kabul.
Protesters were shouting slogans like "death to Pakistan", "we don't want a Pakistani puppet government" and "Pakistan, leave Afghanistan", among others.
Afghanistan's TOLO News reported that the Taliban captured one of its photographers, Waheed Ahmadi, during the protest rally. The Taliban stopped journalists from covering the protests and took away their cameras.
The protesters were marching towards the Kabul Serena Hotel, where Pakistan ISI director Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed has been staying since Tuesday. Hameed is said to have met the Taliban's de-facto leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is believed to be working with the Taliban and laying the groundwork for a new government.
TOLO news tweeted, “The Taliban have detained TOLOnews cameraperson Wahid Ahmadi who was filming the protest today in Kabul.” Shortly after the tweet, the news organisation tweeted that the reporter has been released.
According to media reports, the Taliban guards at Zanbak Square beat up some protesters and vandalised a vehicle leading them, after letting demonstrators protest for several kilometres.
Afghans in Balkh province also reportedly came out to the streets to protest against Pakistan and the Taliban. The Taliban, as they took over Kabul, had promised freedom of the press and the media's right to cover events. The militant group is yet to announce a government in Afghanistan.
