KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A 65-year-old businessman and money exchanger was shot dead by unknown assailants in Herat province on Wednesday evening, local sources said, as the country faces a surge in mysterious killings and violent crimes.
The victim, identified as Ahmad Shah Noori, originally from Gulran district, was travelling with his family toward Herat city when he was stopped on the road and shot, a relative said.
According to the sources, the victim’s wife suffered shock and psychological trauma during the attack, though details on her condition and that of other family members remain unclear.
The motive for the killing and the identity of the perpetrators remain unknown. Taliban authorities in Herat have not commented on the incident.
The killing comes amid increasing reports of targeted, mysterious, and extrajudicial killings across Afghanistan. The UK-based rights organization Rawadari said at least 251 such cases were reported in the first six months of 2025, representing a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. Many of the reported incidents were allegedly linked to Taliban members or unidentified armed groups.
The surge in killings has heightened concerns over deteriorating security, despite Taliban claims of restored stability since returning to power in 2021.
