A disturbing pattern of targeted assassinations of religious scholars has continued in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, while official silence over these incidents has raised serious concerns about security and governance. Figures such as Aeid Muhammad Etimadi, Khadem Hussain Hedayati, Rajab Akhlaqi, Muhammad Mohsen Hamidi, and Muhammad Taqi Siddiqui are being viewed not as isolated cases but as part of a sustained and systematic environment of violence.
Security Vacuum Under Full Control Claims
These incidents are taking place under a government that claims complete control over the country’s territory. However, despite asserting full authority, the Taliban administration appears unable to prevent or effectively respond to repeated targeted attacks.
Experts argue that when a regime claims total military control but fails to protect human life, it cannot avoid responsibility for the outcomes occurring under its governance.
Failure of Investigations and Accountability
A concerning aspect is the absence of meaningful investigations after each incident. No significant arrests, no dismantling of networks, and no transparent findings have been presented by the authorities.
This consistent lack of action is being viewed not merely as negligence but as an indication that perpetrators continue their operations without fear of consequence.
Systemic Accountability Crisis
Observers note that a system unable to protect its own religious and academic figures cannot credibly claim moral or legal legitimacy. The repeated incidents combined with zero accountability reflect a governance failure at a structural level.
The continued absence of prevention measures is seen as indirectly enabling the ongoing violence.
Underlying Reality
The broader assessment suggests that these incidents are occurring within a political and security environment that neither prevents nor effectively addresses them. The gap between security claims and ground realities continues to widen.
In this context, silence is not neutral but is increasingly interpreted as confirmation of an inability—or unwillingness—to stop the cycle of targeted violence against scholars.
