Renowned Afghan actress and film director shot in Kabul

One of Afghanistan's first female directors has been shot and hurt in the country's capital, according to the BBC.

Gunmen west of Kabul opened fire on a vehicle carrying 44-year-old Saba Sahar, along with a driver, two bodyguards and a child, on Tuesday.

Sahar and the two bodyguards were hit and injured, while the child and driver were unharmed.

Her husband Emal Zaki told the BBC that Sahar had left their home to travel to work.

Five minutes later he heard gunshots and called his wife, who told him she had been shot and hit in the stomach.

Sahar received first aid at the scene before being transferred to hospital, where she has undergone a successful operation, according to the BBC.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the extent of her injuries remain unclear.

Sahar is a widely renowned actress and one of the few female directors in Afghanistan, and also vigorous campaigner for women's rights.

Her famous screen credits include "Commissioner Amanullah", a 24-part series on the Afghan police, "The Law," "Passing the Rainbow" and her most recent film "Kabul Dream Factory".

Her work explores themes such as social justice and corruption, something which owes in part to her training as a police officer and continued service in the Afghan interior ministry.

In an interview with The Guardian in 2012 she spoke of the dangers she faced, describing death threats she had received and which have since intensified.

"Every morning when I leave the house, I know I might get killed, might never see my family again," she said.

"Making movies is my love. I love my country. I want to show people that there’s more to Afghanistan than fighting, drugs and terrorism." the actress added.

"If I die for asking for my rights and inspiring other women to fight for theirs, then I’m ready to lose my life," she continued.

Amnesty International condemned the attack on Twitter, calling the rise in attacks on actors and political activists "extremely worrying".

Under a fortnight ago, a prominent women's rights campaigner and member of the Afghan negotiation team who was due to hold talks with the Taliban was wounded in a gun attack in Kabul.

Gunmen opened fire on Fawzia Koofi and her sister as they returned from a meeting to offer condolences in the province of Parwan.

Read more: Gunmen shoot Afghan negotiator: officials

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