On January 16, Taliban fighters raided a local radio station, ‘Total FM’ in Khost, the capital city of Khost Province, reports Hasht-e Subh Daily. The forced entry led to the detention of four staff members, including a reporter, two producers, and an administrative staff member, while the Taliban fighters also damaged the station's equipment, disrupting its broadcasts. The Taliban officials have yet to comment on this incident.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) in its newsletter released on January 16, said that Taliban security forces entered the premises of “Radio Nan” in the second Police District (PD) in Khost District of Khost Province, reports Hasht-e Subh Daily. AFJC expressed deep concern and called for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the media outlet. Four Radio Nan employees were briefly detained and released after about two hours during the evacuation. However, Safir Mohammad Zadran, the brother of the radio station owner, remains in custody after being apprehended a week ago.