KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A former senior intelligence officer was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Afghanistan’s central Daikundi province, local sources said, as targeted killings of former government officials and security personnel continue across the country.
The victim was identified as Mohammad Ali Tofan, who served as head of a department in the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Daikundi during the previous government. He was shot dead near his house in Shahristan district around 10 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Sources said Tofan had stayed in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover and was living a normal civilian life. The motive for his killing remains unknown. Taliban police command in Daikundi did not respond to requests for comment.
Sources said Tofan and his brother, also a former member of the security forces, had earlier been detained by the Taliban for a period. Tofan had recently told family members that he believed he was being pursued by Taliban fighters.
The killing follows a similar incident reported about a month ago in Shahristan district, where former military officer Yaseer Hussaini was shot dead by unidentified gunmen.
The incidents are among a series of reported attacks and mysterious killings involving former government officials and security personnel across the country. Last week, a former police officer identified as Sayed Jan was reportedly stabbed to death by unidentified assailants in southern Zabul province.
The Taliban say they have restored security nationwide and remain committed to a “general amnesty” announced after their return to power.
However, the United Nations and human rights organizations continue to document widespread abuses against former government and security personnel since the Taliban takeover in 2021, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions.
In his latest quarterly report to the UN Security Council, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reported at least five killings, 20 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention, and eight cases of torture or ill-treatment involving former security personnel between January and March 2026.
Groups such as Human Rights Watch say many incidents, particularly in rural areas, go unreported as families fear reprisals.
