Local sources in Badakhshan province report that Taliban government forces have arrested approximately 40 residents of Wandian village in the Shahr-e Bozorg district, accusing them of playing music at a wedding ceremony. The incident reportedly occurred about five days ago, around October 26.
According to the sources, who spoke to media on Saturday, October 31, a clash erupted between Taliban fighters and local residents. Following the confrontation, 20 people were detained in Shahr-e Bozorg district, while another 20 were transferred to Faizabad, the provincial capital. One Taliban fighter was also reportedly killed during the clash.
In the aftermath, a number of local residents have fled their homes in fear of being arrested, and the Taliban are said to be actively searching for them. This has created a climate of fear among families in the area.
Notably, sources claim the incident unfolded even after local residents had obtained permission from local Taliban authorities to have music at the wedding. Despite this, Taliban fighters later raided the event and began detaining guests.
This event is part of a oader pattern of severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban government on social life in Afghanistan over the past five years, particularly targeting music and public gatherings. The Taliban have banned the playing of all forms of music in public and private.
Similar reports of the Taliban's violent enforcement of the music ban have surfaced previously. Recently, sources in Herat reported that members of the Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice raided a women's party in a private home, attempting to detain several women and girls for the "sound of music."
The Taliban's prohibition on music is one of several social restrictions that have drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations and Afghan citizens. These policies have had a devastating impact on the country's music industry and the lives of its artists.
Source: 8am
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