KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local sources say two Hazara residents have been killed by unidentified gunmen in Afghanistan’s Bamyan and Maidan Wardak provinces.
According to sources, in the first incident a Hazara shepherd named Aqil was killed three days ago (Friday, March 5) in Shibar District.
Sources said Aqil was originally from central Bamyan but had been working as a shepherd in the district.
According to the sources, Aqil’s body was discovered by local residents and appeared to have been hanged.
In a separate incident, a local elder from Daimirdad District, identified as Khan Ali Alizadah, was shot dead by unidentified armed men. Sources claim the attackers killed him in front of members of his family.
The motives behind the killings remain unclear.
Local authorities of the Taliban in Bamiyan and Maidan Wardak have not yet commented on the incidents.
Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, numerous killings have been reported from different provinces. Three weeks ago the body of a man has been discovered in Qargha district, in the east of Afghanistan. The victim, identified as Abdul Aziz, 34, was found on Saturday (14 February) in agricultural fields in the “Chahar Bagh” village of Qargha district. His hands were reportedly tied, and he had been shot dead.
In many cases, the perpetrators are described as “unidentified armed individuals,” and authorities rarely report the arrest or prosecution of those responsible.
These incidents come amid a sharp rise in violent crime and mysterious killings across Afghanistan. Such incidents, along with armed robberies and other violent crimes, continue to fuel fear among Afghan citizens, compounding the challenges they face under Taliban rule.
Despite the Taliban’s claims of having restored security since retaking power, they face increasing criticism from citizens, rights groups, and activists over their failure to protect civilians and their lack of transparency in investigating such crimes.
