Noted Indian writer, Sushmita Banerjee, who had shot into fame with her book about her escape from Taliban, was shot dead outside her home in Kharana in Paktita province of Afghanistan yesterday.

Sushmita, who had converted into Islam and took the name of Sayeda Kamala, had retained her Indian citizenship. She married Afghan businessman, Jaanbaz Khan.  Sushmita’s book about her dramatic escape from Taliban, had even inspired a movie in 2003, ‘Escape from Taliban’, starring Monisha Koirala.

Sushmita was reportedly dragged out of her house before being shot dead by the militants. It was yet another atrocity on women by the Taliban militants in Afghanistan. She was working for the healthcare and upliftment of women through her social initiatives, which angered the Taliban.

Sushmita was killed at around 11 PM on Wednesday. Her last rites were performed by her family on Thursday. She had a brief stay in West Bengal during Eid celebrations.