'Afghan officials with me, Thank You Indian Embassy'; Vlogger Arunima with new video

KABUL: Backpacker Arunima, the popular Malayali vlogger and globetrotter, was mired in a crisis during her travel in Afghanistan and even faced the threat of arrest from Taliban officials. Arunima had earlier raised alarm over her possible arrest and requested help from officials. The news was widely circulated. More details were awaited on the incident, and Arunima now made a clarification in a latest video uploaded on social media.

Backpacker Arunima:

“I am safe in Afghanistan. After I requested help from the Indian Embassy, the Afghan officials reached out to me. I am now in Bamiyan and will soon head towards Kabul, which is a 200km journey. Two Afghan officials will accompany me, and a car has also been provided for my safe journey.

It was the intervention from the Indian Embassy that gave me respite. The situation I went through yesterday was frightening. I was panicked and was not in a state to take a video. It was news portals that circulated that I was arrested.

My family members were very concerned, while my friends called me and they were very angry with me. I will now go to Kabul and, at the very earliest, will exit this country. For critics alleging that I did this all for viewership and show-off, I have nothing but contempt for you people. Why would I risk my life in Afghanistan just to garner a few more views on my social media?

Once again, thank you, Indian Embassy. I will soon be back home.”

Arunima had earlier criticised the shocking state of women's freedom in Afghanistan in a vlog released as part of the Afghan series.