Taliban begin house searches, sparking fear, diplomatic criticism

FILE PHOTO: Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan November 10, 2021. REUTERS/Ali Khara

KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban have been carrying out extensive house searches around the Afghan capital, according to residents, a policy the group's spokesman said was to detect criminal activity but that some Western diplomats said had targeted ordinary citizens.

Taliban administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the searches were part of a "clearing operation" and that houses were only raided if there was a specific report of possible criminal activity.