Aga Khan official killed by unknown assailants in Badakhshan, Afghanistan

An official from the Aga Khan Foundation was killed by unknown assailants in Badakhshan, raising fears of rising sectarian violence in the province.

A senior religious affairs official affiliated with the Aga Khan Foundation was killed in Badakhshan province, northeastern Afghanistan, on Friday night, July 5, in the village of Tizab, located in the remote Zebak district, according to reports by local media.

The victim, identified as Fazl Ahmad Paiz, was reportedly attacked and killed inside his own home. Local residents familiar with the case stated that the killing appeared to be targeted and may have been linked to his religious affiliation, 8am Daily reported.

Paiz belonged to the Ismaili Shia Muslim community, a religious minority in Afghanistan that has come under increasing pressure since the Taliban’s return to power. Community sources suspect sectarian motives were behind the murder, though no official explanation has been provided.

Taliban authorities in Badakhshan have not released any statement or launched a public investigation regarding the killing. The incident has raised fear among local Ismailis, who have historically lived in peace in the province.

This is not an isolated case. Last year, an Ismaili man in the same district was reportedly abducted, tortured, and beheaded by unidentified individuals. No suspects were arrested in that incident either.

Earlier this year, reports from the region alleged that a Taliban-appointed district governor forced dozens of Ismaili men to convert to Sunni Islam under pressure. This added to growing concerns of forced religious assimilation and systematic sectarian discrimination.

The Aga Khan Foundation has long operated in Afghanistan, providing essential services including education, health care, and rural development. Its religious affairs division works to preserve cultural identity and spiritual heritage among Ismaili communities.

Since 2021, numerous human rights organizations have raised concerns about the deteriorating situation for religious minorities under Taliban rule. Despite promises of inclusivity, incidents like this suggest rising intolerance and unchecked religious violence in some provinces.

Observers and civil society activists are calling for immediate international attention to protect vulnerable communities in Afghanistan. Without accountability and protection, the risk of deepening sectarian conflict remains high in provinces like Badakhshan.

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