A brutal axe and cricket bat assault on two men near Canterbury has led to a gripping attempted murder trial, uncovering chilling links to human trafficking.
Violent Ambush on A2
The terrifying incident happened at around 5.30am on December 14 last year on the London-bound A2 dual carriageway near the A28 Wincheap junction. The victims, Nasrat Ahmadzai, 24, and Aleem Marufkhail, 32, were attacked after their Seat Leon was forced off the road by a Mercedes-Benz driven by one of the accused.
Both men suffered horrific injuries—Nasrat was left lying face-down in a pool of blood with life-threatening head trauma, requiring emergency airlift to London’s King’s College Hospital. Aleem, an Uber driver and passenger, suffered skull fractures, deep scalp wounds, and hand injuries after trying to defend himself against the attackers wielding an axe and cricket bat.
Afghan Men on Trial Over ‘Murder Bid’
On trial at Canterbury Crown Court are Esmatullah Paktiawal, 36, from Plymouth, and Dawood Khan, 28, from north London. Both deny the charges of attempted murder and grievous bodily harm with intent. They also deny possession of offensive weapons—the axe and cricket bat used in the assault.
Paktiawal was living at Folkestone’s Napier Barracks, a former military base for asylum seekers, at the time of the attack.
Attack Tied to Human Trafficking Background
Prosecutors revealed the assault’s murky backdrop involves human trafficking networks. “You will hear a lot about their involvement in trafficking as background,” prosecutor Amanda Hamilton told the jury. While the exact motive remains unclear, officers suspect links to illegal smuggling activities.
A Romanian lorry driver’s eyewitness account revealed suspicious behaviour early that morning. He spotted two Mercedes cars trying to move him from a lay-by, later discovering an Afghan man hiding in his trailer, linked via fingerprint and WhatsApp messages to Khan’s vehicle.
Witnesses Describe ‘Chaotic Movie Scene’
- The teen passenger, 18-year-old Faizullah Ahmadzai (no relation), described the attackers forcing the Seat to stop, then dragging Nasrat and Aleem out and savagely attacking them with weapons. He fled, fearing for his life, likening the scene to a chaotic movie.
- A cab driver stopped to help and called 999, warning paramedics that one victim was at death’s door.
- Tracking and CCTV evidence found the blood-stained Mercedes days later in a London car park, linking Khan and Paktiawal to the crime.
Defendants Maintain Innocence
Both men deny all charges. They have not claimed any emergency or attempted to call for help after leaving their victims seriously wounded at the roadside. Prosecutors allege they acted “in concert,” encouraging each other in a violent attack they intended to be fatal.
Evidence shows Paktiawal returned to Napier Barracks bloodied and injured, claiming he fell on a fence. Khan was caught attempting to flee the country days later.
The trial, set to last around six weeks, continues as the jury sifts through the shocking evidence behind this savage A2 attack.
