Now in de facto control of Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, Taliban officials are reportedly telling the populace to hand in their firearms. 

The reason cited by the Islamist jihadist group for the locals to surrender their guns is that personal firearms are no longer needed for individual protection. 

"We understand people kept weapons for personal safety. They can now feel safe. We are not here to harm innocent civilians," the official told Reuters.

Meanwhile, reports are circulating that the group has committed a variety of atrocities in its advance across Afghanistan in recent weeks to include deliberately targeting civilians, conducting forced marriages, extrajudicial killings, unlawful arrests, and summary executions of surrendering Afghan government troops.  

Banner image: Various weapons, ammunition, and grenades, seized during Operation Crackdown in the town of Khar Bolaq, Afghanistan, 4/16/2003. (Photo: National Archives)