Former Afghan Soldier Killed by Unknown Gunmen in Khost

Local sources in Khost province confirmed that Samad Tani, a former soldier of the National Directorate of Security (NDS), was killed on Friday afternoon in the village of Zhi, Surtui area of Tani district, by unidentified armed men.

Residents said the former soldier, originally from Tani district, had no visible political or military activity after the fall of the republic. The perpetrators and motives behind the killing remain unknown.

However, cases of targeted killings of former security personnel have increased since the Taliban takeover, raising deep concerns among their families. Reports indicate that many returnees have been detained by Taliban-affiliated forces, with some dying in custody.

In another incident, sources in Nasi district of Badakhshan said that Abdul Rashid, another former soldier of the republic, died after being detained and tortured by Taliban forces. Taliban officials usually refrain from commenting on such incidents, and no judicial follow-up process exists.

Human rights activists have repeatedly warned that targeted actions against ex-soldiers may amount to war crimes and gross human rights violations, but the Taliban continue to deny or remain silent in response to these reports.