KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A man was killed by unknown assailants in northern Balkh province on Thursday, local sources reported, as mysterious killings and violent crimes continue to rise across Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
According to the sources, the victim, identified as Abdul Habib Yousfzai, was attacked and killed near his home in Mazar-e-Sharif, the provincial capital.
The incident took place in the city’s fourth district, in an area known locally as Guzar-e-Hotakiha, the sources added.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear.
Local Taliban authorities in Balkh have not commented on the incident.
These incidents come amid a rise in violent crime and mysterious killings across Afghanistan. Such incidents, along with armed robberies and other violent crimes, continue to fuel fear among citizens, compounding the challenges they face under Taliban rule.
Earlier this week, two brothers who worked as goldsmiths were killed after armed robbers entered their shop in Andkhoy district of northern Faryab province. Another person was wounded in the attack, according to local sources.
In its annual 2025 report released this week, the UK-based rights group Rawadari documented 611 cases of targeted, suspicious, or extrajudicial incidents involving deaths or injuries. The victims included former government employees, individuals accused of links to opposition groups, protesters, tribal elders, and community figures.
While the Taliban authorities claim they have restored security since returning to power, they continue to face criticism from citizens and rights groups over civilian protection and the handling of criminal investigations, particularly in cases where perpetrators remain unidentified.
