Taliban intelligence forces conducted an eight-hour raid on Moby Media Group, Afghanistan's largest media company, detaining journalists and systematically searching phones, servers, and internal data systems in what press freedom advocates are calling an unprecedented assault on independent media.
The operation, led by Taliban intelligence working with the newly restructured Ministry of Telecommunications and Technology, targeted Moby's Kabul offices. Journalists, producers, administrators, and female staff members were detained while Taliban forces conducted comprehensive searches of digital infrastructure.
What Happened During the Raid
According to accounts from Afghan media sources, the raid lasted from early morning into late afternoon. Taliban forces systematically examined employee phones, accessed company servers, reviewed hard drives, and searched internal data systems.
The presence of female staff during the detention raised particular concerns, given Taliban restrictions on women's movement and interactions with unrelated men. Sources within Afghanistan's media community report that female employees faced intense questioning about their work and personal communications.
Moby Media Group operates multiple television channels and radio stations that reach millions of Afghans. Founded in 2002 during the post-Taliban period, it represented one of Afghanistan's most successful private media ventures, surviving multiple political transitions before the Taliban's return to power in 2021.
New Leadership, New Tactics
The raid came within days of Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada appointing Mullah Abdul Ahad Fazli as Minister of Telecommunications and Technology. Fazli, a former Helmand battlefield commander with no telecommunications background, made the Moby raid one of his first official actions.
The choice of a military commander for a technical ministry signals the Taliban's prioritization of control over competence. Fazli's ministry subsequently ordered internet service providers to , suggesting a coordinated information control campaign.



