KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Akbar Niazi, a respected tribal elder from Khuram-Sarbagh district in northern Samangan province, has been found dead one day after being abducted, his family confirmed on Saturday.
Relatives say Niazi disappeared on Thursday after leaving his home in Aybak city’s District 3, the provincial capital, following a phone call. His body was discovered the next day under unclear circumstances.
Local sources told KabulNow that Niazi was kidnapped from the Police District 3. He served as the area’s neighborhood representative (wakil-e-guzar) and was also widely known as a prominent horse breeder in the region.
The motive behind his abduction and murder remains unknown.
Taliban authorities in Samangan have not commented publicly on the case.
This incident comes amid a sharp rise in mysterious killings, disappearances, and other forms of criminal violence across Afghanistan in recent months. Dozens of such cases have been reported in provinces including Kabul, Herat, Balkh, and Nangarhar.
Several foreign governments, including the United Kingdom and the United States, continue to advise against all travel to Afghanistan due to ongoing security threats, criminal activity, and a lack of law enforcement.
The Taliban, who have repeatedly claimed that they have restored nationwide security since returning to power in August 2021, are facing growing criticism from citizens, rights organizations, and civil society groups over their failure to protect civilians and investigate these killings transparently.
