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Taliban Orders Officials to Destroy Phones After Deadly Hijab Protest

7/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Taliban issued a June 16 directive ordering officials, judges, police and military personnel to destroy their smartphones and submit proof.
The order followed early-June protests in Herat over arrests of women accused of improper hijab.
Security forces fired on the demonstrators, killing at least one person.
Kabul University and Herat University have banned smartphones, suspended Wi-Fi and barred phones at entrances.

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Story summary

The Taliban issued a June 16 directive ordering officials, judges, police and military personnel to destroy their smartphones and submit proof.
The order followed early-June protests in Herat over arrests of women accused of improper hijab.
Security forces fired on the demonstrators, killing at least one person.
Kabul University and Herat University have banned smartphones, suspended Wi-Fi and barred phones at entrances.