TARGETED KILLINGS IN AFGHANISTAN; CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
Insecurity and violence are not new phenomena for the Afghan people. The country is burning in flames of war and violence since four decades. Its people have suffered and lived with them since years. The recent happenings are some diverse and sporadic forms of violence which are carried out for specific purposes. Terrorist groups and networks are focusing on choosing and assassinating specific individuals of the society. Religious scholars, journalists, social activists, prominent figures and all those who are not only easy targets as they are lacking security measures, but their deaths can terrorize their kind.
Seemingly, the main purpose of targeted killings is bringing horror to the minds of people, augmenting insecurity and sabotaging the peace process. Doers of such actions are rarely recognized, even if a lead is found, neither transparent investigation is undertaken, nor the families of victims are updated the progress of investigation. Sadly, preventive measures of security bodies against targeted killings are poor. The recent attacks in the capital do not only indicate a great security challenge, but are also show major threat for the success of peace process.
The Human Resources which Fell Victim to Target Killings
Waheed Mozhda, a political analyst and an active member of media who, besides being a strong critic of the government, was also against the presence of American soldiers in Afghanistan, always strived for peace and stability of Afghanistan. He was shot by two anonymous gunmen near his home on 20th November, 2020.
Doctor Tetsu Nakamura, also known as Kaka Murad, A 73 years old Japanese who dedicated a big part of his life and career for the betterment of Afghan lives, was brutally killed alongside his five Afghan colleagues in Jalalabad city of Nangarhar province, on 6th December, 2019.
Dr. Mohammad Ayaz Niyazai, was a famous university lecturer and the chaplain of Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan mosque. He frequently used to condemn the attacks of ISIS and foreign soldiers on civilians, and always strived promote unity among the people because he believed that the conflict of Afghanistan is rooted to disputes and disunity among the Afghan people. He was targeted and martyred in a bomb attack inside his mosque on 2nd June, 2020. Some of the Afghan officials described him as irreplaceable and the Taliban also condemned the bombing via a proclamation.
On 12th June, 2020, Azizullah Muflih, chaplain and member of the Islamic council of scholars of Afghanistan was martyred alongside three other people in a bombing attack at Shershah Suri Mosque in the western Kabul. In addition to his main degree in Islamic Shariah, Mr. Muflih was well versed in Sufism and theosophy, as according to a report of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs. His moderate views of the country’s conflict and promotion of peace among Afghans augmented his eminence among his followers.
Dr. Abdulbaqi, a famous advocate of peace talks with the Taliban and chairman of the scientific council of the ministry of education was killed via a magnetic bomb explosion at the Company area of Kabul city on 19th August, 2020. He was a strong supporter of peace and had performed his duty as a lecturer at various universities of Kabul, Islamabad, Libya, and Sudan.
Yama Siyawash, Rafi Sediqi, Alyas Daee, Malala Maiwand, Rahmatullah Nikzad, Yosuf Rasheed and Freshta Kohistani are the civil and media activists who were the victims of targeted killings happened in last few months. Moreover, target killings also include killing of military and police staff, attorney generals, and retired and active government staff.
The surge of chained explosions, target killings and increase in insecurity in Kabul and other provinces has made the citizens unprecedentedly concerned. On 26th December, 2020, Kabul residents witnessed at least four explosions in different areas.
The cases above show the failure of intelligence and security entities of the country. Most of the victims of the target killings of the religious scholars are those who were against war and promoted peace. Zalmai Khalilzad, the US envoy for Afghanistan peace had recently declared that the people behind these targeted killings are those who want to interrupt and disrupt the peace process.
Target Killings; Causes and Effects
Almost every day, an unknown group of people are killing well-known figures though magnetic bomb attacks or shootings, resulting least cost and most social and propaganda fuss. These attacks also cost civilians their lives and properties. Seemingly, an unknown group of people are trying to sabotage the peace talks by creating chaos and making the people pessimistic about the future of peace talks.
The targeted killings of social elites, academic figures, social and political activists not only bring sorrow to the people, but has the indication of committing big crime against a nation. As the famous saying of biologists goes: Everything can be compensated but the luck of a human being that lives in harmony with humankind and tries to help them.
We lose our beloved political elites, academicians, militaries and social activists in different ways. Yet, the failed government does not take serious actions. People who are the main victim of situation, are tired of the situation and with each passing day, their hope for the future and trust on government fades away. Based on the religious commands as well as the constitution, it is the duty of the government to protect its people and their honor, especially the scholars, and academic figures who are the human capital of the nation. Instead of being reckless, the government should seriously strive to find the people behind the terrorist attacks and other crimes and put them to trial.
Priority of the Afghan people is the end of security problems and a just, quick and durable peace. The government of Afghanistan and Taliban should pave the road for peace as soon as possible, so the young generation, scholars, political elites, social and media activists, and the civilians no longer fall victims of the war.