Local sources from Khas Uruzgan have confirmed to Afghanistan International that the Taliban has detained around 43 Hazaras from the Shashpar area in connection with the murder of a Shia cleric.
Residents claim that this cleric's murder is part of a series of "serial murders" in Khas Uruzgan district of Uruzgan province.
On July 20, local sources informed Afghanistan International that unknown individuals had stabbed Rustam Rahimi, a mosque mullah, to death in Khas Uruzgan district. Rahimi was killed inside the mosque.
Sources said that in recent days, the Taliban have continuously summoned residents of the Shashpar area and even detained some for questioning. According to the sources, some detainees were released after interrogation, but about 43 individuals, arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday, remain in custody.
Sources added that on Thursday, July 25, the Taliban also detained more residents from the area for interrogation.
Several sources confirmed to Afghanistan International that Rahimi's wife was the first person to enter the mosque after the attack and witnessed the assailants.
According to sources, Rahimi's wife reported that the attackers were from "Pashtun" ethnicity, but the Taliban members did not accept her testimony, insisting that since she is a woman, another woman's testimony is needed to corroborate her statement.
Sources stated that Taliban officials are trying to blame the murder of the Shia cleric on the Hazaras living in the area. They added that the group is attempting to pressure Rahimi's family into testifying against the Hazaras.
Last year, United Nations mission in Afghanistan confirmed ongoing violence and killings against Hazaras in Khas Uruzgan district.
Earlier, residents of the Shashpar area reported that Rahimi's murder was the 21st murder in the area over the past three years. Residents accuse the Taliban of being involved in the systematic killing of Hazaras.
Last year, local sources from Uruzgan province told Afghanistan International that in the past two years, 14 residents of the Joy Now village (Shashpar) in Khas Uruzgan district were "systematically and deliberately" killed.
