RASC News Agency: According to local sources in Kandahar, a 55-year-old man fatally shot his underage wife in the Arghandab district. The victim, identified as Samia, was just 15 years old. Sources report that Samia had been married off to the man a year ago by her father in exchange for money, becoming the man’s third wife. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday October 5, when Samia returned to her father’s home after facing domestic violence. Sources further indicated that during the altercation, Samia’s brother was also injured by the gunfire.
Taliban security officials in Kandahar have confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is underway. A source within the Taliban police revealed that the husband has been arrested and will be handed over to judicial authorities once the investigation is complete. Similar cases have resulted in the victimization of women and girls in the past. The practice of child marriage persists, and it is feared that under Taliban rule where restrictions on girls’ education have intensified the occurrence of such marriages may increase.
In a separate incident, local sources from Lash-e Joyan district in Farah province reported that Taliban members shot and killed a man for failing to stop at a checkpoint. According to reports, the man, riding his motorcycle home, was shot and killed by the Taliban on Saturday night October 5, in the village of Shamsabad after ignoring the checkpoint.
Taliban officials in Farah have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident. The Taliban have previously been accused of killing civilians at checkpoints across Kabul and other provinces. Citizens have expressed concerns, noting that Taliban fighters now functioning as security force demonstrate unprofessional and often violent behavior.
