Afghan news anchor reads out headlines while flanked by gun-wielding Taliban fighters

This is the moment a terrified Afghan TV news anchor reads out the headlines while surrounded in the studio by armed Taliban fighters.

The disturbing footage, from the TV network Peace Studio’s Pardaz programme, was widely shared on social media.

It shows a TV host going through his presenting duties under the watchful gaze of gun-wielding Taliban soldiers.

In the clip, he tells the people of Afghanistan “not to be afraid”, despite two armed Taliban fighters being stood over his shoulder.

The video footage was shared by BBC journalist Yalda Hakim.

She wrote on Twitter: “Afghanistan TV - surreal.”

She added: “This is what a political debate now looks like on Afghan TV, Taliban foot soldiers watching over the host.

“The presenter talks about the collapse of the Ghani govt and says the Islamic Emirate says the Afghan people should not to be afraid”.

Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad commented: “This is surreal.

“Taliban militants are posing behind this visibly petrified TV host with guns and making him to say that people of Afghanistan shouldn’t be scared of the Islamic Emirate.

“Taliban itself is synonymous with fear in the minds of millions. This is just another proof.”

The 42-second clip has been viewed on social media more than one million times.

US forces withdrew from Afghanistan on Monday, a day ahead of president Joe Biden's deadline, bringing an end to 20 years of military presence there.

Watch: US completes withdrawal from Afghanistan