Keralite vlogger, who claimed arrest by Mujahideen, now says she escaped arrest threat in Afghanistan

A Keralite travel vlogger, who had previously alleged being arrested by Mujahideen in Afghanistan, now claims she was threatened with arrest by local authorities in Bamyan, Afghanistan, due to her decision to travel alone. According to the vlogger, who goes by the handle Backpacker Arunima, she was questioned about her passport, visa, and permit upon arriving in Bamyan around 7 PM.

Local authorities told her that she had violated the country's laws stating that women cannot travel without a male companion or guide. The vlogger stated she feared for her safety and contacted a man who had assisted her in reaching Bamyan, who spoke on her behalf. She was eventually allowed to continue her journey after discussions with the authorities, who insisted she obtain a permit and travel with a guide.

The vlogger expressed her frustration, saying she had to endure these difficulties solely because she is a woman. She plans to travel approximately 500 kilometers towards the Uzbekistan border and anticipates encountering multiple checkpoints along the way. The vlogger had previously posted on Instagram, pleading for help and stating she was in trouble in Afghanistan and located in Bamyan.

She shared a purported translation of a communication from local authorities indicating she had been arrested by the Mujahideen, though PTI could not independently verify her claims.