Taliban attacks on local media outlets worrisome: Wilson

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Chargé d’Affaires to Afghanistan Ambassador Ross Wilson has expressed his concern over Taliban’s attacks on local media outlets in districts, saying the attacks were meant to cover up their violence.

Wilson took to Twitter on Friday to address the issue, saying that reports of attacks on local media outlets in some Taliban-controlled districts had raised concerns.

He said the Taliban wanted to silence the media in order to cover up the destruction of public facilities and killings of civilians in Afghanistan.

The ambassador had earlier called for a reduction in violence by the Taliban and had said the insurgents should return to the negotiating table.

He expressed concern over Taliban’s attack on local media outlets in the fallen districts, as the group’s attacks had intensified in some provinces in the past month.

Local sources in northern Balkh province also claimed that the Taliban had taken over a local radio station in the Balkh district, broadcasting for their own benefit.

Official sources have not confirmed this and the Taliban have not yet commented on the matter.

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