Herat, Afghanistan—The Taliban transported the bloodied bodies of two men through the center of Herat city on Thursday. The men were killed earlier that day during a reported clash in the Injil district.

Taliban police officials described the men as armed robbers who died in a confrontation with security forces. The group has not released the names or backgrounds of the deceased.

Videos circulating on social media show the bodies placed in the back of a military ranger truck. Fighters drove the vehicle through busy public squares while residents watched from the sidewalks.

This public display is intended to deter criminal activity in the province. Taliban authorities have repeatedly defended these actions as necessary measures to restore law and order.

Local human rights observers expressed deep concern over the incident. Many residents reported feeling fear and distress upon witnessing the macabre parade through the city streets.

Theft has risen sharply in Herat as the economic crisis deepens. Declining foreign aid and mass unemployment have pushed many families into poverty, contributing to an uptick in criminal reports.

Police command records indicate that hundreds of people have been arrested for theft-related charges in the last six months alone. The Taliban maintains that harsh public justice is the solution.

The situation remains quiet but tense in Herat city. Taliban officials have signaled that they will continue to enforce these methods regardless of international criticism or humanitarian concerns.