RASC News Agency: Local sources in Helmand province report the tragic murder of a religious scholar stemming from a land dispute. The incident occurred in the Marjah district, where the scholar was allegedly killed by an opposing party in the conflict. Sources indicate that the fatal stabbing took place on the afternoon of Sunday, December 1. The victim’s body was transported to Helmand’s provincial hospital. The identity of the slain scholar remains undisclosed, and local Taliban authorities have yet to comment on the incident.
This murder adds to a growing number of similar cases involving religious figures and land disputes in Afghanistan. Recently, the Taliban in Kabul confirmed the killing of another religious scholar by unidentified assailants. In two separate incidents in Helmand, two individuals were killed, and two others, including a religious scholar, sustained injuries. Additionally, unidentified gunmen in Samangan province assassinated another religious figure.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan has witnessed a sharp increase in mysterious murders, covert killings, and disputes over land issues exacerbated by widespread poverty. The economic collapse under Taliban rule has fueled violence, with citizens attributing these crimes to the group’s governance. Many hold the Taliban responsible for fostering poverty, unemployment, lawlessness, and deep societal divisions.