According to Iraf, the shooting by unidentified armed individuals targeting civilians at Sarai Shahzada in Kabul has left several people dead and wounded. Among those killed in the incident are Farahnaz, wife of Wahidullah Wahdat — a pilot of the former government — and Ehsanullah, son of Allahgul Mujahid.
Deadly Shooting Targeting Ordinary Civilians
Eyewitnesses report that on Sunday, armed individuals opened fire on a number of citizens near Sarai Shahzada. The market, widely known as the heart of Kabul’s currency exchange district, has over the years repeatedly witnessed insecurity, armed robberies, and sporadic clashes; however, this time the killing of a former Afghan army pilot’s wife has considerably broadened the social and media dimensions of the incident.
Following the publication of the news, Afghan social media users responded with an outpouring of messages reacting to the killing of the former pilot’s wife. Many users have characterized the killing of civilians in the heart of Kabul as an indicator of the fragility of the security situation under Taliban rule.
Some sources report that Farahnaz had gone to Sarai Shahzada to collect a remittance her husband had sent her. Wahidullah Wahdat is among the military personnel who left Afghanistan, while his family continues to live in Kabul.
Widespread Reactions: From Condolences to Concern Over Rising Insecurity
Responding to the incident, Fawzia Koofi, former member of the Afghan parliament, wrote: “Afghanistan today is not only a graveyard of dreams, but a grave for the oppressed and defenseless people who every day, without cause or guilt, fall victim to the Taliban’s hollow security. It is with the deepest sorrow that I learned of the martyrdom of the wife of Wahid Wahdat — my dear brother and the country’s experienced pilot, who is among our relatives and family — in yesterday’s painful incident at Sarai Shahzada in Kabul.”
Latif Pedram, for his part, wrote: “Dear Wahdat! You had written: my back is broken. A calamity these heavy breaks a person’s back. I truly do not know with what words to offer condolences. Amid the flood of grief that has overwhelmed you, the letter of Arnold Ruge came to mind — in a letter of condolence to the author of Capital on the occasion of his son’s death, he had advised: you who are the teacher of us all; be patient, do not weep — he will not return.”
Fazl Saberi, noting that Farahnaz was from the Jurm district of Badakhshan province, wrote: “She was the mother of four children who had gone to Sarai Shahzada to collect her husband’s remittance and buy Eid clothing for the children, but lost her life in the shooting.”
The Taliban have thus far not officially released full details of the incident or the motives of those responsible.
The incident has occurred at a time when the Taliban consistently speak of having “ensured comprehensive security” across Afghanistan, yet the occurrence of a shooting at one of Kabul’s busiest and most economically sensitive locations has once again raised serious questions about the extent of the group’s control over urban security in the capital.
