Pregnant Woman Shot Dead at Home Amid Rising Taliban Repression
A woman named Banu Negar was tragically shot dead in front of her family at their home in Firozkoh, the capital of central Ghor province. The horrifying killing comes amid mounting reports of growing repression against women across Afghanistan.
Taliban Deny Involvement but Investigate
The Taliban told the BBC they were not behind Negar’s death and promised an investigation. Spokesman Zabiullah Mujaheed said: “We are aware of the incident and I am confirming that the Taliban have not killed her, our investigation is ongoing.” He suggested the murder stemmed from “personal enmity or something else.” The Taliban have also stressed their amnesty for former government workers.
Gruesome Details: Beating, Shooting, Arabic-Speaking Gunmen
Sources reveal a chilling scene: three gunmen tied up the family, beat Negar, then shot her dead while her husband and children looked on. Relatives provided graphic images showing blood splattered on a wall and Negar’s face badly disfigured. Shockingly, she was eight months pregnant and worked at the local prison.
A witness reported hearing the intruders speaking Arabic during the attack. Fear of retaliation keeps many locals silent about the incident.
Taliban’s Mixed Signals on Women’s Rights
Since grabbing power on August 13, the Taliban have tried to clean up their image, but brutal acts and repression continue. Officially, they promise no revenge against former government staff.
Women’s education, banned during their 1990s rule, now cautiously returns. Female students can attend university but must sit separately from men and wear an abaya and niqab, tightening the grip on women’s freedoms.
