The jihadi playground: Heavily-armed Taliban fighters enjoy a day at the fairground while Afghans fear for their freedoms under brutal rule
Heavily armed Taliban fighters were pictured on Tuesday enjoying a lake-side fairground near Kabul, weeks after the militant group took control of Afghanistan and began re-implementing their hardline Islamic rule.
'This is Afghanistan!' one Taliban fighter shouted while on a pirate ship ride at the fairground found in western Kabul, as his armed comrades cackled and whooped onboard the rickety attraction.
With AK-47 and M4 assault rifles strapped to their chests, the soldiers clung to colourful steel benches as they were flung back and forth, their scarves and headdresses flapping in the wind.
It was decided a rocket launcher one of them was earlier cradling was better left on solid ground.
Pictured: a Taliban fighter carrying a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher stands on pirate ship ride in a fairground at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. The group of Taliban fighters were seen to be in a playful mood in the capital they seized less than six weeks ago, posing with weapons on a variety of the fairground rides and attractions, September 28, 2021
Taliban fighters ride on paddle boats at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. One in the blue swan boat is shown aiming down the sight of his rifle, while another - also holding a weapon - give a wry smile towards the camera. Six other paddle boats with other Taliban fighters can be seen behind the blue boat
Pictured: A group of armed Taliban fighters pose for pictures next to a merry-go-round ride in a fairground at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan which six weeks ago was seized by the militant group after U.S. and other Western troops withdrew from the country
Pictured: Taliban fighters ride on paddle boats at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. Since the Taliban's return to power, Afghans have feared a return to the group's brutally oppressive rule of the 1990s, when they banned music, photography, television - and even children's games such as kite-flying
The group - ranging in age from 18 to 52 - was relaxing at a small amusement park next to Qarghah Reservoir on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, where families and children normally ride the Ferris Wheel and carousel.
The scene was an incongruous one: the Taliban fighters were in a playful mood in the capital they seized less than six weeks ago, but the playground was otherwise deserted of people not among the ranks of the militant group.
Since the Taliban takeover, Afghans have feared a return to the group's brutally oppressive rule of the 1990s, when they banned music, photography, television - and even children's games such as kite-flying.
Pictured: A group of Taliban fighters enjoy a ride on a pirate ship attraction in a fairground at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul, September 28, 2021. The men are seen in the typical garments worn by the Taliban, with some holding a variety of weapons including rifles and a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher
Pictured: A Taliban fighter carrying a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher stands on a dock for leisure boats at Qargha Lake, where the fairground is found. A group of Taliban can be seen sitting on the moored boat to the left
Taliban fighters ride in the back of a truck near Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. The truck appears to be driving past what appears to be a row of blue and pink beach huts near the lake
Pictured: A Taliban fighter holds a rifle while he stands on the banks of Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. The lake is a dam and reservoir and provides recreation facilities such as boating, surfing and golfing, and has a hotel on its banks
The Taliban promised a more moderate rule this time, but have already curtailed Afghans' freedoms, including excluding girls from school and sports.
Fighters from around the country flocked to Kabul after the Islamist hardliners swept to power in mid-August and many had never been to a funfair.
Once the three-minute ride is over the battle-hardened fighters clap, grin and giggle amongst themselves - and the RPG launcher is reunited with its owner.
Pictured: Taliban fighters pray on a dock for boats at Qargha Lake, a resivoir found on the outskirts of Kabul
A Taliban fighter walks along the lakes bank and past paddle boats at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabu
Taliban fighters ride on swan-shaped paddle boats of various colours at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul as the sun goes down in the background
Pictured: Armed Taliban fighters, some dressed in military camouflage gear, pose for a picture along a road near Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul
On the shores of the picturesque reservoir, other Taliban members hop into swan-shaped pedalos as the sun begins to set behind the hills in the distance.
Still brandishing their weapons, they set off in pairs across the water in the pink, blue, green, yellow and blue boats, laughing as the vessels bump together.
Dressed in camouflaged military uniforms and traditional Afghan clothes, they pose with their assault rifles as friends take pictures on the pebbly shore.
Nearby, a few of the more senior Taliban members take the opportunity to pray, setting down their shawls between two boats on a jetty.
Pictured: Taliban fighters laugh at the Qargha Lake area on the outskirts of Kabul. One is shown carrying a heavy machine gun slung over his shoulder, while another in blue robes jokes with him
Pictured: Three Taliban fighters talk amongst themselves at the fairground while sitting on a pirate ship in a fairground at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul. One is shown holding rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, while another is shown clutching what appears to be an AK-47 rifle close to his chest
Taliban fighters ride on paddle boats into the sunset at Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul
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