Sushmita Banerjee's memoir sales go up

Orders for Indian author Sushmita Banerjee's memoir "A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife" have surged following her killing by suspected Taliban militants in Afghanistan, the book's publisher said Wednesday.

The book recounts her life in Afghanistan with her husband Jaanbaz Khan and her daring escape from the Taliban.

People from districts like Bankura and Midnapore have come with requests for more copies.

"People have come to our outlet asking for her book. We have received fresh orders... almost around 1,000 copies... both for English and Bengali versions," said Swapan Biswas of publishing house Bhasa O Sahitya.

Banerjee, 49, was dragged out of her home after other members of her family were tied up, and shot dead by suspected Taliban gunmen in Sharan city of Afghanistan's Paktika province Sep 5.

Banerjee defied her family to marry Afghan businessman Jaanbaz Khan, and stayed for years with him in Afghanistan.

She later came back to India, and in 1998 wrote the bestselling memoir "Kabuliwalar Bangali Bou" (A Kabuliwala's Bengali Wife). The book offers a vivid description of the suffering of women under the Taliban.

The book was a bestseller in India and was made into a Bollywood film in 2003 starring Manisha Koirala.

Banerjee also described her daring escape from the clutches of militants.

The book published by Bhasa O Sahitya made her a household name in West Bengal and was a bestseller right after its release in January 1998.

Her family in Kolkata has said they suspect foul play in the death and have demanded a probe.

Two people have been held in Afghanistan over the killing. The suspects are members of the notorious Haqqani militant network, according to BBC.

India has said the death of Banerjee was due to "family related issues", as per initial findings by Afghan authorities.