Taliban arrest girls' school principal in Daikundi for refusing to surrender smartphone

Tayyiba Hafizi serves as the principal of a girls' high school in the Bandar area of Daikundi province. She was arrested by the Taliban on Monday for refusing to surrender her smartphone. The arrest occurred during a raid on the school that was conducted to collect such devices from teachers.

Hafizi remained in Taliban detention until the late hours of the same day. During the inspection, some teachers and female students faced violent treatment. Taliban personnel threatened and showed weapons to lower-grade students in an effort to locate teachers' hidden phones.

This incident is the first arrest for smartphone use under Taliban rules. The Taliban have banned smartphones for government employees via a verbal order from their leader. Violators are referred to military court for further action.

The raid was part of efforts to enforce the restrictions on mobile phone possession among staff at the educational institution. Female students were among those present when the inspection took place. The use of threats and weapons was reported as a method to ensure compliance during the search.