13-Year-Old Shoots Family’s Killer In Afghanistan's Khost Under Taliban Orders As 80,000 Watch

Last Updated:December 03, 2025, 07:52 IST

A Taliban-ordered public execution in Khost shocked Afghanistan as a 13-year-old boy shot his family’s convicted killer before a crowd of thousands.

Eighty Thousand Witness Taliban’s Latest Public Execution in Khost (Photo: X)

A man accused of murdering 13 members of a family, including nine children, was publicly executed by the Taliban in Khost province on Tuesday, in an event that drew an estimated crowd of 80,000 people. The execution has sparked international condemnation, with human rights groups calling it a stark reminder of the Taliban’s harsh system of justice.

Execution at a packed stadium

The execution took place at a sports stadium in Khost, where large crowds gathered despite Taliban orders banning camera-equipped phones. Eyewitness videos circulating online show thousands standing inside and outside the venue as gunshots ring out and the crowd chants religious slogans.

Taliban officials identified the executed man as Mangal, convicted of killing a local resident, Abdul Rahman, and 12 of his family members around ten months ago. According to the Taliban, the conviction was upheld by courts of first instance, appeal, and the Supreme Court.

Victim’s 13-year-old son ordered to shoot

Reports from Afghan media, including Amu News, stated that the execution was carried out by the 13-year-old boy who survived the attack and lost much of his family. Under the Taliban’s interpretation of Qisas, or retribution, relatives of the victims were given the option to forgive the perpetrator. The boy reportedly refused, and he fired the fatal shots following a brief announcement by officials.

The #Taliban have turned #Afghanistan into an exhibition of brutality: yesterday flogging, today a public execution in the Khost stadium. A man was gunned down on the orders of #Hibatullah, in front of hundreds of children and teenagers and most shocking of all, the final shot… pic.twitter.com/cfrlwvWgMR— Golchehrah Yaftali (@womenaidafghan1) December 2, 2025

What Taliban said?

Afghanistan’s Supreme Court said the execution marked the enforcement of “divine order," adding that prayers were held for national security and the full implementation of Islamic law. Taliban spokespersons confirmed the identity of the executed man and stated that due legal procedures had been completed.

As per reports, the event marks the 11th judicial execution carried out by the Taliban since they seized power in 2021.

Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the execution as “inhuman, cruel, and contrary to international law." Human rights organisations have long criticised the Taliban’s justice system for lacking transparency, due process, and legal safeguards.

News world 13-Year-Old Shoots Family’s Killer In Afghanistan's Khost Under Taliban Orders As 80,000 Watch

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