Kerala travel vlogger Arunima, known online as ‘Backpacker Arunima’, claimed she was detained by Taliban members in Bamyan, Afghanistan, while travelling alone. She later said she was allowed to leave the country after discussions with the authorities and settling a dispute over permits and a fine.
Arunima initially posted an SOS on social media seeking help in contacting the Indian embassy. She shared what she described as a translated official communication stating that she had been arrested because she did not have the required official letter. Indian officials in Kabul and New Delhi did not publicly provide an update on the alleged detention.
In a later detailed post, Arunima explained that authorities in Bamyan told her women could not travel alone under local rules and that permits were required for travel between provinces. She said she had previously been denied a permit in Jalalabad because she was travelling without a male companion.
According to Arunima, she contacted a person who had earlier helped her reach Bamyan, and he spoke with the authorities on her behalf. She said officials initially insisted that she obtain the necessary permit and travel with a guide.
Arunima said she informed them that she intended to leave Afghanistan and travel to Uzbekistan. Authorities allegedly told her she would have to pay a fine because she had remained in the country while violating the rules. After discussions, she said the matter was settled and she was permitted to continue her journey without obtaining another permit.
The vlogger said restrictions and questioning had been a recurring part of her journey because she was travelling as a woman. She claimed male travellers she knew had faced fewer difficulties, while women travelling in Afghanistan generally travelled with guides or male companions.
Arunima entered Afghanistan several weeks ago and has regularly shared updates from the Taliban-ruled country. She said she adopted purdah during much of her trip and had been stopped and questioned by Taliban members multiple times.
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