Saturday, March 14, 2026 · Updated Saturday, March 14, 2026
Kandahar, Afghanistan
The historic city of Kandahar, Afghanistan, continues to navigate a complex landscape of security and public order, a reality starkly evident in its nighttime operations. As darkness falls, the city's thoroughfares transform into active zones for armed personnel, whose presence underscores the ongoing need for vigilance in this urban environment. These patrols are a routine aspect of life, shaping the rhythm of the city long after sunset.
This nighttime image depicts an urban scene at Charsoo Square in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A dark green, four-door pickup truck, consistent with a Nissan Frontier/Navara, is centrally positioned on an asphalt roadway. The vehicle's front passenger door displays "POLICE" in English and Dari/Pashto script (پو لیس). The truck bed contains items covered by camouflage-patterned fabric, from which a dark, cylindrical object resembling an RPG-7 launcher partially protrudes.
In the immediate foreground, a blurred individual, wearing light-colored boots and dark clothing, is captured mid-stride, walking from left to right. Near the rear of the pickup truck, a second individual stands, facing left. This person wears a turban and traditional Afghan attire, illuminated by a bright light source that obscures facial features. A long, dark object, consistent with a rifle, is held or slung.
The background features the distinctive light blue and white clock tower of Charsoo Square. To the right of the pickup truck, a large commercial billboard advertising "4G" and pricing in Dari/Pashto is visible under a streetlamp. A hexagonal, two-tone (yellow and dark) umbrella-like structure stands on a raised concrete median, which also contains a small blue and yellow tent-like structure and minimal landscaping. A dark sedan is partially visible on the far left. The scene is illuminated by multiple artificial light sources including streetlights and vehicle lights.
One vivid scene captures two armed individuals, their forms silhouetted against the night, near the multi-tiered Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower). One, a bearded man in a tactical vest, clutches an AK-pattern rifle, his gaze firm. Beside him, a second figure, face obscured by a balaclava, also carries a rifle, signifying a coordinated security presence. The artificial glow of streetlights illuminates their posts along the paved roads, where distant vehicle lights hint at the city's quiet, cautious movement.
At night, a man in a black uniform, possibly security or law enforcement, stands in the middle of a road, holding a rifle. He is flanked by parked white cars and there are other men nearby. The road is lined with streetlights and trees. The atmosphere is serious and the scene suggests a security checkpoint or response to an incident.
Further patrols reveal young adults in uniform, armed with AK-pattern rifles, conducting checkpoints. One such individual, positioned on a paved road, stands before a backdrop featuring a light-colored van, a motorcycle, and a bustling street stall. In the distance, a white mosque with its slender minaret stands as a beacon, juxtaposed against the backdrop of ongoing security activities. The scene is a blend of daily life continuing amidst a visible security apparatus.
The image depicts a night-time street scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan, illuminated by a series of overhead streetlights lining a multi-lane asphalt road. Trees are visible along both sides of the roadway, with buildings or commercial establishments featuring various lights discernible behind them. A large, reddish billboard is partially visible on the left side of the road in the distance.
In the mid-ground, at least five male individuals are present on the street. Centered prominently, an individual in dark, loose-fitting attire and a dark cap stands facing slightly left, holding a rifle with a visible magazine slung across his chest. To his left, two individuals in light blue/grey uniforms and caps stand on the road. Further to the right and slightly behind the armed individual, another person in a dark uniform and cap is visible. A fifth individual, in dark clothing and light-colored boots, stands behind a white sedan in the right lane. These individuals appear to be security or official personnel maintaining presence on the road.
Several vehicles are visible, indicating traffic. In the left foreground, a silver/grey hatchback is positioned with its rear facing the viewer. In the right foreground, a white sedan displays illuminated red taillights. Its license plate, partially visible, features "AFG" and the numerals "30". Additional vehicles with active headlights and taillights are visible in the distance, suggesting a flow of traffic along the street. The road surface appears generally clear, with some reflections of light indicating a potentially damp surface or reflective asphalt.
The video shows three uniformed individuals standing in the middle of a street at night. The central figure wears a dark uniform, a tactical vest, and a black beard, holding a rifle. To the left is a person in a lighter uniform and a white hat. To the right is someone in a blue outfit with a similar white hat. Cars are seen traveling on the street in both directions. Streetlights illuminate the scene, and trees line the side of the road. A utility tower is visible in the background. The individuals appear to be monitoring or directing traffic.
The operations extend to key urban landmarks, including the Aino Mina Clock Tower and Charsoo Square. At these points, uniformed men, some with two-way radios, maintain their vigil. A dark green pickup truck, emblazoned with "POLICE" in both English and local script, is seen at Charsoo Square, its bed revealing a partially protruding RPG-7 launcher—a potent symbol of the security challenges faced. This blend of overt and subtle displays of force defines the city's nocturnal pulse.
At night, several cars are stopped on a street with visible streetlights. A black Toyota Prius is closest to the camera, with its headlights on. Behind it, there is a white station wagon type car and other vehicles are visible. A person wearing brown clothing walks diagonally across the street in front of the vehicles. There are buildings and trees lining the street. The street surface appears wet or uneven in places. The lighting conditions are low due to it being nighttime.
A nighttime street scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan, captures a young adult male in a dark brown uniform, black cap, and black shoes, standing on a paved road and looking directly at the camera. He wears gold-colored epaulets and a badge with Arabic script on his left chest, along with a dark blue shoulder strap. He possesses a dark beard and mustache. The man is holding an AK-pattern rifle, featuring a wooden foregrip and stock with a ribbed steel magazine, vertically with the buttstock resting near the ground, supported by his right hand.
In the left background, a light-colored van is visible behind a motorcycle carrying two blurred individuals, one in dark clothing and one in light clothing, both moving from left to right. In the right background, a dark-colored sedan with illuminated taillights is parked or moving slowly. Adjacent to the sedan is a small, brightly lit street stall with items displayed and two small stools in front. Further right and behind the stall stands a white mosque featuring a tall, slender minaret topped with a light blue-green conical spire and balconies. Dark trees are visible against the night sky in the distant left background. The scene is illuminated by artificial light sources from vehicles, the street stall, and ambient streetlights.
The image captures an urban night scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan, featuring the Aino Mina Clock Tower. A man with a full grey beard and dark-rimmed glasses, wearing a dark olive-green uniform with blue shoulder boards and a dark baseball cap, occupies the foreground. Two patches with white Arabic script are visible on his chest pockets. He holds a black two-way radio with a green indicator light illuminated, his gaze directed downwards.
In the immediate background, several other men in dark uniforms are present, some partially obscured. One individual wears a black face covering. Further in the background, the distinctive Aino Mina Clock Tower, a multi-tiered structure adorned with light blue and white tiles and Arabic calligraphy, is illuminated against the dark sky. Artificial street lighting is visible in the distance, along with indistinct figures and faint vehicular traffic, indicating a city street at night.
These documented moments offer a journalistic lens into Kandahar's urban security landscape, portraying the diligent, often unseen, efforts to maintain order. The presence of armed personnel, the illuminated clock towers, and the flow of nocturnal traffic collectively paint a picture of a city where daily life and security concerns remain deeply intertwined.
This nighttime image depicts a street scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The central figure, illuminated from the left, is a bearded man dressed in a dark brown uniform comprising a tunic, a dark flat-brimmed cap, and a right chest patch bearing Arabic script (identifiable as "Islamic Emirate"). His right shoulder displays two inverted V-shaped rank insignia, and a gold-toned wristwatch is visible on his left wrist. He holds a wooden-stocked AK-variant rifle in his right hand, oriented diagonally downwards. To his immediate right, a second uniformed man in a dark uniform and a light-colored flat cap stands with his back to the viewer, positioned near a partially visible dark-colored motorcycle or similar two-wheeled vehicle. Further in the left mid-ground, a third uniformed man, also in a dark uniform and a light-colored flat cap, stands next to a white vehicle (possibly a sedan or van), holding an object to his left ear. The background reveals a street lined with buildings, some featuring roll-down shutters, suggesting commercial establishments. Various vehicles, including a dark sedan and a yellow auto-rickshaw type vehicle, are present. Overhead power lines and sparse trees are visible. In the distant left background, a white minaret of a mosque stands prominent against the dark sky, which is dimly lit by artificial street lighting.
Kandahar, Afghanistan · Mar 14, 2026, 5:48 PM
The image depicts a nighttime street scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan, centered on two armed individuals. In the background, the multi-tiered Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) is clearly visible.
The primary subject, positioned to the right, is a male with a dark beard and mustache, wearing a dark baseball cap with brown sunglasses perched on top. He wears a dark long-sleeved shirt or tunic under a black tactical vest equipped with multiple magazine pouches. His right hand holds a rifle, identified as an AK-pattern with a wooden stock and foregrip, positioned vertically. A small microphone is attached near the rifle's barrel. A ring is visible on his right ring finger.
To his left and slightly behind, a second male is present, his face obscured by a black balaclava or headwrap, with only his eyes visible. He wears dark clothing, likely a traditional tunic, and a black tactical vest. He carries an AK-pattern rifle with a wooden foregrip, held diagonally across his body.
The background shows a dark sky, with artificial illumination from streetlights lining a paved road that recedes into the distance on the right. Distant vehicle lights, possibly motorcycles, are discernible along the road. Faint figures are also visible in the deep background.
The video shows a man dressed in military style clothing with a rifle standing outdoors at night. He is wearing sunglasses, a black vest with pouches, and a brown long-sleeved shirt. He has a full beard and is looking directly at the camera. Behind him is a white building with a tower that appears to be a mosque. Streetlights are visible along a road. Other people in similar attire can be seen in the background, along with vehicles. One man wears a hooded camouflage coat.
This nighttime image depicts an urban scene at Charsoo Square in Kandahar, Afghanistan. A dark green, four-door pickup truck, consistent with a Nissan Frontier/Navara, is centrally positioned on an asphalt roadway. The vehicle's front passenger door displays "POLICE" in English and Dari/Pashto script (پو لیس). The truck bed contains items covered by camouflage-patterned fabric, from which a dark, cylindrical object resembling an RPG-7 launcher partially protrudes.
In the immediate foreground, a blurred individual, wearing light-colored boots and dark clothing, is captured mid-stride, walking from left to right. Near the rear of the pickup truck, a second individual stands, facing left. This person wears a turban and traditional Afghan attire, illuminated by a bright light source that obscures facial features. A long, dark object, consistent with a rifle, is held or slung.
The background features the distinctive light blue and white clock tower of Charsoo Square. To the right of the pickup truck, a large commercial billboard advertising "4G" and pricing in Dari/Pashto is visible under a streetlamp. A hexagonal, two-tone (yellow and dark) umbrella-like structure stands on a raised concrete median, which also contains a small blue and yellow tent-like structure and minimal landscaping. A dark sedan is partially visible on the far left. The scene is illuminated by multiple artificial light sources including streetlights and vehicle lights.
The image depicts an urban scene at night in Kandahar, Afghanistan, specifically near the Aino Mina Clock Tower, which is prominently featured in the background.
In the foreground, a Caucasian male stands slightly right of center, facing the camera. He wears a brown fur-lined cap, a dark-colored tunic, dark trousers, and dark slip-on shoes. An AK-style rifle with a wooden stock and handguard is slung diagonally across his chest. He is equipped with a light-colored tactical vest or chest rig featuring multiple pouches and what appear to be medals or patches pinned to it. He has a beard and light-colored eyes.
To the left of the primary subject, several other individuals are visible, mostly out of focus. One figure wears a light brown traditional garment, possibly a shalwar kameez, under a dark vest or body armor. Dark-colored vehicles, resembling SUVs or pickup trucks, are present in the mid-ground.
The Aino Mina Clock Tower, a multi-tiered light-colored structure with a domed top and arched windows, rises prominently in the background. To the right of the tower, a landscaped island or roundabout is visible, containing a structure with a conical roof and a red banner. The ground is a paved surface, likely asphalt, illuminated by artificial streetlights, casting shadows. The overall scene indicates an active urban environment after dark.
At night, a man in a black uniform, possibly security or law enforcement, stands in the middle of a road, holding a rifle. He is flanked by parked white cars and there are other men nearby. The road is lined with streetlights and trees. The atmosphere is serious and the scene suggests a security checkpoint or response to an incident.
The image depicts a night-time street scene in Kandahar, Afghanistan, illuminated by a series of overhead streetlights lining a multi-lane asphalt road. Trees are visible along both sides of the roadway, with buildings or commercial establishments featuring various lights discernible behind them. A large, reddish billboard is partially visible on the left side of the road in the distance.
In the mid-ground, at least five male individuals are present on the street. Centered prominently, an individual in dark, loose-fitting attire and a dark cap stands facing slightly left, holding a rifle with a visible magazine slung across his chest. To his left, two individuals in light blue/grey uniforms and caps stand on the road. Further to the right and slightly behind the armed individual, another person in a dark uniform and cap is visible. A fifth individual, in dark clothing and light-colored boots, stands behind a white sedan in the right lane. These individuals appear to be security or official personnel maintaining presence on the road.
Several vehicles are visible, indicating traffic. In the left foreground, a silver/grey hatchback is positioned with its rear facing the viewer. In the right foreground, a white sedan displays illuminated red taillights. Its license plate, partially visible, features "AFG" and the numerals "30". Additional vehicles with active headlights and taillights are visible in the distance, suggesting a flow of traffic along the street. The road surface appears generally clear, with some reflections of light indicating a potentially damp surface or reflective asphalt.
The video shows three uniformed individuals standing in the middle of a street at night. The central figure wears a dark uniform, a tactical vest, and a black beard, holding a rifle. To the left is a person in a lighter uniform and a white hat. To the right is someone in a blue outfit with a similar white hat. Cars are seen traveling on the street in both directions. Streetlights illuminate the scene, and trees line the side of the road. A utility tower is visible in the background. The individuals appear to be monitoring or directing traffic.
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Kandahar, Afghanistan
