In Kabul, an attack targeting a former Afghan member of parliament and her security detail has left one person dead and another injured, as police launched a full investigation into the violence that unfolded at a residence in the capital. The incident marks a rare moment of lethal political violence inside Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in 2021, and it has sent shockwaves through a country already grappling with insecurity, displacement, and political volatility. Local authorities confirmed the death, and officials described the situation as an active investigation ongoing at the scene, with investigators piecing together the sequence of events and potential motives. The fallen lawmaker, identified as Mursal Nabizada, was described by police as a 29-year-old city deputy who had represented her constituents with a focus on accountability and public service. A police spokesman, Khalid Zadran, conveyed to Afghan media that Nabizada’s brother sustained injuries during the assault, underscoring the toll this incident has taken on her family and the broader political community. The report highlights the personal risk faced by public figures who, despite the dangerous security climate, chose to remain in the country to advocate for governance, reform, and the protection of civic spaces. [Citation: City police press briefing]
Experts point out that this event stands as the first high-profile assassination of a former Afghan politician since the Taliban’s return to governance in August 2021. The broader context includes a fragile security environment and ongoing tensions between authorities, insurgent groups, and factions within Afghan society. The attack is prompting renewed discussions about the safety of elected representatives, the protection afforded to female politicians, and the level of risk faced by individuals who pursue public service in a landscape characterized by political retrenchment and external pressures. The incident has also raised questions about how Afghan institutions, including the police and intelligence services, monitor and respond to threats against public officials, as well as how communities support survivors and families in the wake of political violence. [Citation: Security analysis briefing]
In the wake of the Taliban’s return to power, many Afghan politicians—especially women—sought refuge outside the country, seeking asylum in neighboring states or beyond. Nabizada’s decision to remain in Kabul, despite the shifting political winds, drew attention to the challenges faced by women in leadership roles within Afghanistan and the persistence of civic engagement even amid risk. Her presence in the capital alongside her brother and trusted security team underscored a commitment to public service that persisted despite mounting obstacles. This stance prompted debates about the enduring role of elected representatives, the viability of democratic processes under the current regime, and the international community’s interest in safeguarding political participation inside Afghanistan. [Citation: Human rights observers]
Four months prior to the attack, Nabizada appeared on a local television program wearing a mask, an image that resonated with many viewers who remembered the personal and political costs of public life in Afghanistan. Reports from the international news agency DPA note that she described her work with a nonprofit organization, a role that the Taliban had restricted for women. This detail adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, illustrating how female political figures navigated restrictions while continuing to engage with civil society and humanitarian initiatives. The episode serves as a window into the ongoing tension between cultural norms, governance, and the international discourse on women’s rights in Afghanistan. [Citation: DPA excerpt]