Badakhshan: A shocking killing in northern Afghanistan has raised fresh concerns about safety under Taliban control. On Thursday morning, an unknown gunman shot and killed a woman business owner in a busy market in the Ashkasham district of Badakhshan province. The attack happened around 8 a.m. while she was on her way to work with her young child.
Witnesses said the attacker used a hunting rifle and opened fire in the crowded marketplace. The woman, identified as Lailuma, was rushed to hospital but later died from her injuries. The daylight attack in a public place has left residents shaken and fearful.
A Public Killing That Exposes Failing Security
According to reports, Lailuma was the wife of a well known local singer, Salam Mufton. She ran an embroidery and stitching workshop for women inside a women only market managed by the Aga Khan Foundation. Her killing has exposed the gap between official claims of peace and the reality on the ground.
More importantly, the fact that such a murder happened in a busy market shows that attackers do not fear arrest or punishment. Many locals say criminals are moving freely and acting with complete impunity. As a result, public trust in security has sharply declined.
Targeted Violence Against the Ismaili Community
However, experts and community members say this was not an isolated crime. Instead, they describe it as part of a wider pattern of targeted violence against the Ismaili community. Between December 2025 and January 2026, at least three members of the Ismaili sect were killed. So far, no suspects have been arrested in any of these cases.
While Taliban police confirmed the Badakhshan incident, they did not announce any investigation or arrests. This silence has fueled criticism that justice has become symbolic rather than real under the current system led by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, reports from the United Nations say pressure on the Ismaili community has increased. In early 2025 alone, more than 50 Ismailis were allegedly forced to convert to Sunni Islam after facing threats and violence. Analysts warn that women from minority groups face the highest risk, as gender and religious identity make them easier targets.
In the end, the growing absence of women from public spaces and the rising crackdown on minorities point to a troubling reality. Stability in Afghanistan is increasingly being enforced through fear, leaving human life and dignity with little value.
