Targeted Killings of Ethnic Leaders Continue in Northern Afghanistan.
Local sources in Balkh province report that Taliban forces executed a prominent Turkmen leader, Karim Pahlawan Agha, in the village of Quraish, Chahar Bolak district.
The incident occurred yesterday, and sources confirm that he was a respected and influential figure among the Turkmen community.
Reports suggest the killing may have been due to his outspoken positions and criticisms of ethnic bias and discriminatory practices.
Local residents described the act as “cruel” and motivated by ethnic considerations, noting that he had played an active and constructive role in resolving local disputes and serving the community.
The Taliban have not commented on the incident. Previous reports indicate that the group has assigned specialized units to identify and physically eliminate leaders of ethnic communities opposing them in the north.
The targeting of non-Pashtun prominent figures by the Taliban is not new and has heightened concerns over the safety of ethnic leaders.
