KABUL – Khalil Ahmad Yousufi, a well-known local elder in western Herat province, was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants, local sources confirmed on Thursday.
The attack occurred on Wednesday evening in Injil district, where gunmen on motorcycles reportedly opened fire on Yousufi before fleeing the scene.
The motive for the killing remains unclear, and Taliban authorities in Herat have yet to comment on the incident.
Yousufi’s funeral took place Thursday in Guzara district, according to local reports.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, mysterious and targeted killings have surged across Afghanistan. Many attacks are carried out by unidentified gunmen, and Taliban authorities rarely release investigation results or confirm accountability.
Despite Taliban claims of nationwide security, such killings continue to raise concerns. According to figures compiled by KabulNow, at least 60 people have been killed in targeted attacks during the month of July alone.
Human rights organizations have criticized the Taliban for failing to protect civilians and for conducting opaque or incomplete investigations into violent crimes, warning that the lack of accountability is contributing to a climate of impunity.
