Taliban have increased pressure and censorship on local media outlets following recent Pakistani airstrikes, warning journalists not to report on attacks, particularly those targeting Taliban military sites, multiple sources familiar with the matter said.
At least three sources told Amu TV that the Taliban have sought to control coverage of the escalating conflict with Pakistan.
Under the new instructions, domestic media organizations have been told not to report the locations or number of Pakistani airstrikes, the sources said.
They have also been warned not to publish reports about strikes on Taliban military facilities.
Amu TV said it verified the information with several journalists inside Afghanistan, who confirmed receiving the directives but spoke on the condition of anonymity because of security concerns.
The journalists said Pakistani strikes have targeted not only civilian areas but also some Taliban military bases where weapons left behind by the former government are stored.
They also said Taliban authorities have instructed media outlets to refer to Pakistan in reports as the “military regime of Pakistan.”
Sources added that Pakistani airstrikes in recent weeks have hit locations in several provinces, including Kandahar, Panjshir, Khost and Kabul, targeting both civilian areas and Taliban military installations.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has previously confirmed that at least 42 civilians have been killed and 146 wounded in the fighting, though the figures have not been independently verified in all cases.
Residents in affected areas have called on the United Nations to intervene and help prevent further airstrikes that could harm civilians.
