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Three people, including a local leader of an Afghan political party, were killed after attackers fired upon worshippers during Ramadan evening prayers (Taraweeh) in Farah province of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Kabul, Afghanistan: At least three people were killed and several others injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire on worshippers during special Ramadan evening prayers (Taraweeh) in Farah province of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
According to a report by Khaama Press on Friday, citing local sources, the incident took place on Thursday night (April 4) in Tokali village of Pusht Koh district in Farah province.
As per the Khaama Press report, Haji Akbar, a prominent local figure connected to the Hizb-e-Islami (an Afghan political party), was among those reported killed in the attack.
Farah’s security commander, Abdul Zaher Khadem, said that investigations are underway to identify the assailants, asserting that strict justice will be dealt to those responsible.
Targeted killings are not a new phenomenon in Taliban’s Afghanistan with Kandahar often bearing the brunt of attacks by the Islamic State (ISIS) and other terrorist groups.
Earlier, a suicide attack left 12 people dead, and injured several others in Kandahar, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the deadly assault.
Amid escalating tensions, targeted killing have become a norm in many vulnerable regions like Farah and Kandahar, with the recent targets often being government officials and local leaders.
The recent incidents in Farah and Kandahar underscore the escalating security challenges Afghanistan facing since the Taliban took over the country as concerns are raised over the Taliban security forces’ capacity to uphold national stability in light of the recent spike in violence on Afghan land, Khaama Press reported.
The brunt of the fighting also falls on civilians, who face direct attacks as well as the wider effects of increased insecurity on their day-to-day existence.
(With inputs from agencies)
