Mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Ahmad Wali Hotak has been wounded in an attack in Kabul, his spokesman said on Monday.
Samiullah Pam, spokesman for Hotak, told Pajhwok Afghan News the overnight incident took place in the Hussainkhel area of Bagrami district at 11pm.
He said Hotak came under attack from unknown gunmen on his home after dropping his guests. The armed men opened fire at his car before stabbing him in the head and stomach with a knife.
The MMA fighter was admitted to the Kabul Emergency Hospital and his condition is stable. Ahmad Wali Hotak is also a member of the Afghanistan Sport Journalists Association.
Head of the Association, Wasil Wisal, called the incident an assault on Afghanistan’s sports. He said Hotak being a national player had no personal enmity with anyone.
He urged the security organs to immediately act and bring the attackers to justice.
Nasrat Rahimi, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, confirmed the attack and said Hotak had been seriously injured. Security officials had been tasked with investigating the incident, he added.
Meanwhile, the attack sparked anger among activists on social media. They demanded the immediate arrest of the attackers and stressed deterrent punishment to them.
