‘I held his hands and legs and pleaded with him’: Malayalam vlogger Arunima recounts Taliban ordeal in Afghanistan

NEW DELHI: Malayalam vlogger Arunima’s social media post claiming that she was detained by the Taliban while travelling in Afghanistan had sparked widespread discussion. In an Instagram story, Arunima had said that the Taliban had arrested her and sought help in contacting the Indian Embassy.

Arunima is currently in Bamyan, Afghanistan. She has now shared another post detailing her experience and explaining what happened.

Arunima said she reached Bamyan in the evening after getting a lift in a lorry. As it was already dark, locals approached her and questioned her about her passport, visa and accommodation. A man who could speak English then took her to a hotel and later to another location where she was offered a room to stay.

According to Arunima, two men later questioned her through Google Translate and asked her to show her permit. She said they told her that women could not travel alone in Afghanistan and that she had violated the country’s rules by doing so.

“They told me they were going to arrest me. My hands and legs started shaking. I did not know what to do. I asked them to deport me, but they said I had violated the law,” she said.

Arunima said she immediately informed her boyfriend and also contacted the man who had earlier helped her reach the place where she was staying. She said he had taken her phone number when he dropped her there. After learning about the situation, he told her he was nearby and would return shortly.

The man, who knew English, then spoke to the Taliban on Arunima’s behalf.

“I held his hands and legs and pleaded with him to understand my situation. They initially refused to let me go and said I needed a permit and a guide. They also demanded money,” she said.

She eventually managed to settle the matter and was allowed to leave for the next country without a permit.

“I was extremely frightened for a few hours. I was so tense that I almost felt like I was going to die. I felt that something was going to happen to me. That is why I posted an Instagram story hoping that someone would come to rescue me,” Arunima said.

She added that she had to face the ordeal because she was travelling alone as a woman. She said several of her male friends had travelled through Afghanistan without problems, while her female friends had travelled with a guide or a man.

Arunima said she would next travel around 500 km towards the Uzbekistan border, where she expects to encounter more checkpoints.

“I will be travelling while holding my breath until I reach the border. My whole body is still shaking because of the tension and panic. I am unable to reply to anyone. Thank you everyone. Sending only love. My travels will continue,” she said.