Taliban intelligence has warned local media outlets against reporting casualties among Taliban forces from Pakistani airstrikes, saying such coverage could have “serious consequences,” according to sources familiar with the matter.
Sources told Amu TV that the warning was circulated in messages sent via WhatsApp groups to journalists and media organizations. The notice said Taliban intelligence is monitoring media activity, including reporting near border areas.
The warning comes amid escalating cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Taliban, now in their 20th day.
According to the sources, Taliban have increased pressure on domestic media since the start of Pakistani airstrikes, imposing stricter controls on coverage of the conflict.
Media outlets have been instructed not to report on the locations or number of Pakistani airstrikes, particularly those targeting Taliban military positions, the sources said.
Journalists inside Afghanistan, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed receiving similar instructions. They said Taliban had also directed media to avoid reporting on strikes against their bases where weapons from the former government are stored.
Some journalists also said they were instructed to use the term “Pakistan’s military regime” in coverage of the conflict.
Taliban have not publicly commented on the reported directives.
The restrictions come as Pakistani airstrikes and drone attacks, along with border clashes, have intensified in recent weeks.
Local sources said Pakistani aircraft carried out heavy strikes in multiple parts of Kabul on Monday night, including areas near the Taliban Defense Ministry and a suspected ammunition depot in the city’s 8th district.
Taliban have claimed that one of these strikes has targeted a rehabilitation center, killing at least 400 people and wounding 250 others.
