MAZAR-I-SHARIF (SW): Nekzad Usmani was a young trader from Balkh province who was assassinated by unknown gunmen in the provincial capital Mazar-i-Sharif last night.
Deputy police chief Abdul Razaq Qaderi has informed that Usmani was on his way home in the third police district of Mazar-i-Sharif city after transacting over $ 3 million from Kabul to Balkh when gunmen travelling in a mini-bus shot him dead. He informed four men have been taken into custody in connection with the murder, and investigations are underway to arrest the perpetrators and recover the cash.
According to official statistics, in less than two months, at least 18 cases of target killings have taken place in the province. Ten people have been taken into custody over suspicion, and further investigations are underway.
Residents of Mazar-i-Sharif are also concerned over armed robberies and other crimes particularly involving criminals riding motorcycles.
For long, Balkh was considered as one of the most secure provinces in the country, but after approval by the President of controvertial resignation of the governor, Atta Mohammad Noor, the graph of crimes is on an upward trajectory.
ENDS
