Wahid Muzhda, an Afghan political analyst, was assassinated Wednesday in Kabul when at least one unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle attacked him in the PD7 area close to the Russian embassy, the Ministry of Interior confirmed.
Nasrat Rahimi, the ministry spokesman, said the incident occurred around 5:00 pm while Muzhda was going to the mosque.
The reason for his death is not clear, and police are investigating the incident, Rahimi added.
According to Rahimi, the attackers fled the area after assassinating Muzhda.
Muzhda was a poet and writer, and worked in the Foreign Ministry during the Taliban’s regime and was a member of the Gulbuddin Hekmatyar Party.
Muzhda also published a book titled “Afghanistan.”
Muzhda was accused of expressing opinions that supported the Taliban, and he had reportedly been arrested by the National Directorate of Security.
Muzhda was born in 1953 in Baghlan province, completed his elementary education at Habibia High School in Kabul, and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kabul University.
The attack on Muzhda has been heavily condemned on social media, and many described his death as a loss to the nation.
So far no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on social media expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Muzhda.
Omar Zakhilwal, a former Afghan envoy to Pakistan, condemned Muzhda’s assassination and condemned “a trend of targeting individuals who work for peace and freedom of speech.”
According to Zakhilwal, political activism is an achievement of the past 18 years and now it is under threat.
On October 31, Hassan Haqyar, a political activist, was wounded in an attack by unknown gunmen in the Pul-e-Artal area of the Kabul while he was on his way home.
Haqyar was taken to Emergency hospital in Kabul after being shot in the leg, but was later was discharged.
