In response to the escalating number of mysterious killings in various provinces, particularly in Bamiyan, Sayed Sufi Gardezi, a high-ranking official from the former Taliban government, has criticized the group’s shortcomings in addressing and curbing these incidents in Bamiyan.
Gardezi, speaking during the funeral ceremony of Hayatullah Khandan, a prominent local figure in Bamiyan, on Thursday, November 9, pointed out that during the 14 years of the republic, there were no recorded murder incidents in Bamiyan. However, in the two years of Taliban rule, over 14 murders have been reported.
While criticizing the Taliban’s failure to ensure security in Bamiyan, Gardezi emphasized that the perpetrators behind the 24 mysterious murders in the past two years remain unidentified.
In a recorded statement by the former Taliban official, provided to Hasht-e Subh, he remarked, “In 14 years of the republic, we did not witness 14 mysterious murders in Bamiyan. But now, in two years of the Taliban’s emirate, we have seen more than 14 mysterious murders, and the culprits in none of these cases are known. Whether the governor locates the killers on the ground or from the sky, they must be brought to justice.”
He continued his strong criticism, urging the Taliban governor to identify the individuals responsible for the 24 murders in Bamiyan.
Hayatullah Khandan, a Bamiyan youth and the head of a construction company, was shot five times at his home three months ago due to an alleged personal dispute. Despite being transferred to Iran, he succumbed to his injuries on Friday, November 4.
Khandan was associated with Abdullah Sarhadi, the Taliban governor for Bamiyan, and played a key role in selecting individuals for crucial positions within the group’s administrations.
At the funeral, Dr. Naiem Ahmadi, Khandan’s nephew, called on the Taliban to identify his uncle’s killer.
Simultaneously, the surge in security incidents in Bamiyan has raised concerns among the province’s residents.
A resident, who chose not to be named, informed Hasht-e Subh Daily, “Over the past two years, we have witnessed numerous crimes, including targeted assassinations, the abduction of women thrown beside roads and streams, and several other extremely gruesome cases. However, none of the families have the courage to complain and bring these issues to the media.”
This comes as two unidentified armed individuals killed two people in the Lal Wa Sarjangal district of Ghor province, which shares a border with Bamiyan, two days ago.
