KABUL: Afghanistan is witnessing a growing number of mysterious killings and violent crimes, raising serious concerns over public safety and the Taliban regime’s ability to maintain law and order, as a local elder was shot dead inside his home in central Daikundi province.
According to local sources, Ghulam Mohammad, an elder from the Ghochan area of Shahristan district, was killed by an unidentified gunman at around 8pm on Friday, October 30.
The attacker fired through the window of Mohammad’s room, hitting him twice while he was praying. No other members of his family were injured in the shooting.
The motive behind the killing and the identity of the attacker remain unknown. Sources said the victim had no known personal disputes with anyone and had no history of military or political activities, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding his murder.
The Taliban authorities have yet to issue any public statement on the killing. However, sources said Taliban forces subsequently took several local residents into custody for questioning, although it remains unclear whether any arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
The latest killing comes amid a series of reported murders and violent attacks in different parts of Afghanistan, with perpetrators frequently remaining unidentified and motives unexplained.
Just a week earlier, a young man identified as Hassan Khudai was shot dead by armed assailants inside his shop in Khadir district of Daikundi province. The motive behind that attack also remains unclear.
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The repeated incidents have raised questions about the effectiveness of the Taliban administration’s security apparatus, particularly its capacity to protect ordinary citizens, prevent targeted killings and conduct credible investigations into violent crimes.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have repeatedly portrayed Afghanistan as a country where security has been restored.
However, persistent reports of unexplained killings, armed attacks and other violent incidents present a troubling picture of civilian insecurity and expose the gap between the regime’s security claims and the concerns of local communities.
The absence of transparent investigations, public disclosure of findings and accountability for perpetrators further deepens concerns over the protection of civilians under Taliban rule.
