KANDAHAR (PAN): Ahmad Wali Karzai was killed in his home in Kandahar around 11:30 am on Tuesday.
Wali Karzai was the brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and was the head of the Kandahar Provincial Council.
According to a Kandahar official who wished to remain anonymous, Wali Karzai was killed by the commander of his bodyguards.
The source said that the commander, Sardar Mohammad, shot Karzai in the head and chest with two bullets. Some unconfirmed reports suggest that Mohammad was the cousin of Ahmad Wali Karzai.
After firing at Karzai, the assailant was shot dead by other bodyguards.
Karzai’s body has been taken to Mirwais Civil Hospital.
Zalmai Ayoubi, spokesman for Kandahar’s governor, confirmed Karzai’s murder to Pajhwok Afghan News.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the assassination. In a statement posted to their website, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi says that Mohammad was instructed by the Taliban to kill Wali Karzai.
The statement adds that Mohammad was the son of Mawlawi Sultan Mohammad and a resident of Zakir Sharif area of Kandahar city.
at/mbg
