By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, (AA): Gunmen killed five women who worked at the Kandahar International Airport in southern Afghanistan while they were en route to their workplace early Saturday morning, Afghan media quoting local officials said.

The women were travelling in a van when at least three gunmen on motorcycles opened fire on them near the airport, Kandahar governor’s spokesman Samim Khpulwak told Tolo News.

The driver of the van also died on the spot.

Ahmadullah Faizi, airport director, was quoted by local media as saying the women were employees of a private company that provided body and luggage search services to female passengers.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and his Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah condemned the killings.

Ghani said: “Enemies of the nation have once again proved that they are not only against the Islamic teaching and the Afghan norms but are also opposed to the development in Afghanistan.”

In his message, Abdullah expressed his resolve to nab the culprits. “All relevant security organs have been directed to ensure measures for the security of women across the country,” he said.

[Map of Afghanistan showing Kandahar. Map by Sanao/Public Domain]