Afghan teen a “hero” after killing Taliban members who murdered her parents

An Afghan teenager, who shot dead two Taliban insurgents and wounded at least one other, has been described as a hero on social media.

Qamar Gul, who is aged between 14 and 16, killed the insurgents after they murdered both her parents during a Taliban raid on her village in Ghor province last week. 

The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning when a group of about 40 insurgents reportedly stormed the village of Geriveh. 

According to officials, the insurgents were looking for Gul’s father, who they accused of being a government supporter. 

Officials said the insurgents entered the Gul’s house and shot both the mother and the father dead. 

A Ghor provincial official said Qamar Gul witnessed the shooting and picked up her father’s AK-47 assault rifle and started shooting. He said her 12-year-old brother, Habibullah, was with her. 

Other villagers also reportedly joined in and after about an hour was eventually able to repel the insurgents. 

Afghan officials have since moved Qamar Gul and her brother from the village and have placed them in protective care. However, they are expected to be moved to Kabul. 

Since the incident, a photograph of Qamar Gul holding a firearm has gone viral on social media, sparking much praise for her actions. 

One Facebook fan said: “She is a symbol of bravery and resistance.” Others say she is a hero.