KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A former police officer has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, amid a growing number of mysterious killings across the country.
Local sources told KabulNow that the victim, identified as Matiullah, was killed on Tuesday night, May 20, in the city’s District 2.
Matiullah had served in the police force under the previous government. Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, he became unemployed. Originally from Zabul province, he had recently moved to Kandahar in search of work.
The motive for the killing remains unclear and local Taliban authorities have not commented on the incident.
This incident adds to a surge in mysterious killings and criminal activities across Afghanistan in recent years. The country’s citizens are increasingly concerned about their safety and security, which adds to the mounting challenges they face since the Taliban’s takeover, despite the Taliban’s claims of maintaining security.
Rights groups and activists accuse the Taliban of failing to ensure security and of not conducting proper investigations into these killings.
Moreover, over nearly four years, the regime in power in Afghanistan has detained, tortured, and killed hundreds of former government officials and members of the previous security forces across the country.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented at least six killings and 23 cases of arbitrary detention of former Afghan security personnel between January and March this year.
