Gunmen kill influential Bamyan businessman

BAMYAN CITY (PAN): Unidentified gunmen raided a civilian home in the central province of Bamyan, killing a local influential person and wounding two others, local officials said on Thursday.

The businessman Saleh Bai was gunned down at his residence by unknown gunmen late Wednesday night in Kuhmard district of the province, said provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Jumaguldi Yardam.

One of the two men wounded in the incident succumbed to his injuries while on the way to hospital, he said. Initial information revealed that the businessman could possibly be killed by Taliban fighters and a probe team was sent to the area, he said.

Abdul Halim, a resident of the area, said the gunmen were wearing military uniforms. One of the sons of the influential figure was wounded in the attack and his cousin was also killed, he said.

No one had claimed responsibility for the killing until now.

Bamyan is one of the safest provinces of Afghanistan, where the first phase of security control was transferred from foreign troops to local forces was implemented last year.

frm/vp