Washington: The Committee to Protect Journalists, a nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide, has appealed to the Taliban to cease attacking journalists and searching their homes; and allow media to operate freely and without fear of violence or reprisal.

The committee referring to journalists in Afghanistan alleged that since the Taliban took power in the country, militants have searched the homes of at least four journalists and news agency employees.

Also, CPJ is probing reports that Taliban militants beat at least two journalists in Jalalabad while covering a protest against the militant group’s takeover.

Read: India focused on safe return of Indians from Afghanistan: Jaishankar

“The Taliban needs to stand by its public commitment to allow a free and independent media at a time when Afghanistan’s people desperately need accurate news and information,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator.

Quoting a report by German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle, CPJ stated that Taliban militants have searched the homes of at least three employees who went into hiding.

According to CPJ, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid did not respond to request for comment via messaging app.

Meanwhile, Australian broadcaster SBS reported that a former interpreter for the Australian army has been reported shot in the leg by a Taliban fighter as he tried to get on a military evacuation flight out of Kabu.