A series of armed robberies and kidnaps have taken place in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

People in the west of the city say an armed gang has begun operating after nightfall, breaking into houses, tying people up and beating them before stealing money and jewellery. They say several people who have resisted have been murdered.

One man described how his brother woke up and called out after hearing intruders. The robbers shot him dead, before making off with just $10 worth of cash and a tape recorder.

Denials

In another district in the centre of the city, residents say a gang has been watching people leave the mosque after evening prayers.

They said the gang was targeting worshippers who appeared to be well off and as dusk fell, abducting them on their way home.

The Taleban information minister denied there was any truth in the reports.

But a district police chief admitted they were very concerned about the thefts. He said in his area alone he had 40 officers patrolling the streets every night.

Safer city

Armed crime was familiar in the mid-1990s, when Mujahadeen groups were fighting over Kabul. But the Taleban, who captured the Afghan capital in 1996, disarmed the population and have ruled over a much safer city.

Even people who dislike the Taleban admit they have brought law and order.

There is a complete ban on civilians owning guns. People are asking where the gangs have got their arms from.

They also wonder how they can operate during the night-time curfew, when no ordinary citizen is allowed on to the streets