Top Afghan female police officer gunned down

Kabul. A top policewoman in southern Afghanistan has died after being shot by unknown attackers, months after her predecessor was also slain in similar circumstances.

Monday, September 16, 2013
Women serving in the police force often get threats from relatives as well as Taliban members. Net photo.

kabul. A top policewoman in southern Afghanistan has died after being shot by unknown attackers, months after her predecessor was also slain in similar circumstances.Sub-Inspector Negara, who like many Afghans goes by one name, was buying grass for her lambs outside her home on Sunday when two gunmen drove up on a motorbike and shot her in the neck, said Omar Zawak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand province. Doctors tried to save her, but police spokesman Fareed Ahmad Obaidi said she died at 1am on Monday. Zawak also confirmed her death.Kandahar government spokesperson, Javid Faisal told Al Jazeera that Negara had believed what she was doing was important for all women in Helmand province."She was the top when it comes to the female police force in Helmand. She has also worked during Dr Najibullah regime in Afghanistan,” Faisal said."She was considered the most effective female police commander in the province and she believed her duty was the most crucial and most important for women in Helmand Province."She didn’t have any threats from her family, friends, relatives or siblings but insurgents and extremists are against the women rights and women’s independence in the country.”Negar worked in Helmand province’s criminal investigation department in Lashkar Gah city.She had taken over the duties of Islam Bibi, a well-known police officer who was shot dead in July by unknown gunmen.