Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Taliban Official Shot Dead in Badakhshan Attack
A senior Taliban official named Zabihullah Amiri was shot and killed in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province.
He was traveling from a local district to the provincial capital when two gunmen opened fire on him.
Security personnel responded quickly, killing one attacker and capturing the other.
This attack is part of a series of targeted killings of Taliban officials since they took power in 2021.
Previous attacks in the region include the killing of the Badakhshan Deputy Governor and a suicide bombing at his memorial service.
The Islamic State in Khorasan Province has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks.
Zabihullah Amiri, a senior Taliban official, was shot dead in Badakhshan province on July 29, 2026.
Two gunmen opened fire on Amiri while he was traveling to the provincial capital, Faizabad.
Security personnel responded immediately, killing one attacker and capturing the other.
Targeted killings of Taliban officials have been rare since the Taliban took power in 2021.
Previous attacks in the region include the killing of the Badakhshan Deputy Governor and a suicide bombing at his memorial service.
- Who
- Zabihullah Amiri, a senior Taliban official and director of information and culture in Badakhshan province.
- What
- A targeted shooting attack resulting in the death of Zabihullah Amiri and the capture of one attacker.
- When
- July 29, 2026.
- Where
- Badakhshan province, Afghanistan.
- Why
- The motivation behind the attack is unclear, but it is part of a series of targeted killings of Taliban officials.
Taliban Perspective
ISIS-K Perspective
Motivation Behind the Attack
Taliban Perspective
The Taliban views the attack as an act of terrorism aimed at destabilizing their government.
ISIS-K Perspective
ISIS-K claims responsibility, stating it is a response to Taliban's oppressive rule and to promote their own extremist agenda.
- Victim
- Zabihullah Amiri
- Position
- Director of Information and Culture, Badakhshan
- Location
- Badakhshan province, Afghanistan
- Date
- July 29, 2026
- Attackers
- Two gunmen
- Casualties
- 1 attacker killed, 1 captured
- Previous Attack
- December 2024, Refugee Minister Khalil Haqqani killed in Kabul
- Previous Attack
- June 2023, Badakhshan Deputy Governor Nisar Ahmad Ahmadi killed in car bomb