KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local sources in southern Helmand province reported that a businessman was stabbed to death by unknown assailants, the latest in a series of reported killings across Afghanistan in recent days.
The sources told KabulNow on Monday that the victim, Abdul Wadood, was found dead in a graveyard in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, on Sunday, September 28.
Wadood, originally from Babaji district in Helmand, managed a wheat business in Lashkargah and had recently been residing in the city.
The motive for the killing remain unknown, and Taliban local authorities have not yet commented.
The incident follows other violent cases in the province. Just two weeks earlier, armed kidnappers in Sangin district killed the teenage son of another businessman after holding him captive for 10 days. The family had reportedly been unable to pay a ransom of $150,000.
Rights groups and residents say such cases are on the rise nationwide. In its latest report, UK-based Afghan rights group Rawadari documented at least 251 cases of mysterious, targeted and extrajudicial killings in the past six months — a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. The group said many of the incidents were linked to Taliban members and unidentified armed men.
The increase in such incidents has heightened concerns among Afghans over deteriorating security, despite Taliban claims of having restored order since their return to power in 2021. Rights groups and activists accuse the authorities of failing to protect civilians and properly investigate these killings and other crimes.
