Local sources in Shighnan district of Badakhshan province say Taliban officials from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have arrested at least six young women who follow the Ismaili faith in the district center. According to the sources, the women were arrested while passing through a checkpoint in the Shighnan market and were subsequently taken to an undisclosed location by Taliban officials.
According to information from local sources, the incident occurred on Sunday morning, 18 Asad. Taliban officials from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice established checkpoints in the center of Shighnan market, inspecting passing vehicles and stopping and arresting a number of women and girls for allegedly failing to comply with the dress code imposed by the group.
An eyewitness told the media that while passing through one of the Taliban checkpoints, they saw a large number of women and young girls being detained by Taliban officials and gathered in one location. According to the witness, at least six young Ismaili women were among those detained.
Eyewitnesses also said that Taliban officials used inappropriate and insulting language when dealing with the Ismaili women. They added that some local residents objected to the treatment, but refrained from voicing their concerns out of fear of a reaction from Taliban forces.
Residents of Shighnan say that over the past week, checkpoints operated by Taliban officials from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have increased in the district, with inspections and restrictions targeting women also intensifying. According to residents, women face greater restrictions and increased scrutiny from Taliban officials while traveling through the market.
Shighnan is a border district of Badakhshan province adjoining Tajikistan, and a large portion of its population consists of followers of the Ismaili faith. In previous years, reports have also emerged about the establishment of checkpoints and the treatment of women by Taliban officials in the district, particularly on days when local markets are held.
Local reports indicate that the conduct of Taliban officials toward residents of Ismaili-populated areas of Badakhshan has not been limited to women, with men also facing similar restrictions and treatment. Some residents of these areas have said that fear of encounters with Taliban forces has made it difficult even for children to accompany their mothers to purchase daily necessities.
Since the Taliban returned to power, numerous reports have emerged of pressure and discrimination against Ismailis in Badakhshan province. These reports include allegations of arrests, beatings, extrajudicial killings, land seizures, and the forced displacement of some followers of the Ismaili faith.
The United Nations has previously expressed concern about the situation of Ismailis in Badakhshan and said that more than 33 Ismaili places of worship in the province had been closed. However, regarding the recent detention of six young women in Shighnan, no independent information has so far emerged about their whereabouts or any official response from the Taliban.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
