Following protests in the districts of Argo and Darayim in Badakhshan, the widespread destruction of poppy fields has commenced.

Local officials in Badakhshan report that approximately forty thousand acres of agricultural land have been cleared of poppy plants.

Aminullah Taib, Deputy Governor of Badakhshan, stated, “An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 jeribs of land in these areas have been destroyed.”

Security officials in Badakhshan say that over two thousand security forces of the Islamic Emirate have been deployed to eradicate the poppy fields.

Mahbubullah Hamed, an official of the Third Omar Division, said, “About a thousand from the national army are working on eradicating poppy cultivation.”

Farooq Nabard, an official of the Eighth Border Brigade, mentioned, “We have destroyed over two thousand jeribs of land in the Argo district and did not face any serious problems.”

Meanwhile, several farmers are urging the interim government to provide alternatives for cultivation.

Shafiq Rahman, a farmer, said, “Our request from the government is to facilitate job opportunities for the educated and to compensate farmers for their losses.”

Abdul Basit, another farmer, added, “There are no jobs, and people are desperate, turning to poppy cultivation out of necessity.”

Although exact figures on the land cultivated with poppies are unclear, local officials in Badakhshan assert that the campaign to destroy poppy fields will continue until their complete eradication in the province.