KANDAHAR CITY (SW): Five women employees at the Kandahar International Airport were shot dead by unknown gunmen in Kandahar City in the wee hours on Saturday.
According to local officials, the women were in a van driving to the airport when at least three gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at them in the 4th Police District area in the city. President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah have condemned the killings.
Ahmadullah Faizi, Director Kandahar International Airport has been quoted as saying that the women were employees of a private company who would provide luggage and body search services for female passengers. He said the women were concerned about their security after receiving death threats from people who disapproved of their career.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Samim Khpalwak, spokesman for the provincial governor told Salam Watandar that investigation into the incident has begun. The attackers have however, managed to flee the site of the attack. Khpalwak added that at least 30 criminals involved in target killing and terrorist acts have been arrested in the past one week.
Kandahar residents have been shocked by the incident. A number of citizens told Salam Watandar that such killing of innocent women is not acceptable to them.
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