KABUL (Pajhwok): The killing of a prominent candidate for Parliament in an explosion Wednesday in southern Helmand province drew widespread condemnation.
The candidate, Abdul Jabar Qahraman, was killed by explosives that were placed beneath a sofa he was sitting on in the yard of his campaign office in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, meeting with supporters.
At least three other people were reported killed and seven wounded in the blast. Qahraman was the latest victim of insurgent attacks aimed at disrupting Saturday’s elections.
President Ashraf Ghani in a statement condemned the attack and called Qahraman as a true patriot, adding that his assassination would not weaken the will of Afghans to vote on Saturday.
The president, shocked over the assassination of Qahraman, ordered security organs to seriously probe the attack.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abdullah Abdullah also condemned the killing of Qahraman and said Helmand lost a true son to an unforgiveable crime.
Abdullah said with such attacks the enemies of Afghanistan wanted to disrupt the upcoming elections and scare away people from taking part in the ballot.
The CEO said though the unity government had opened the door to peace, but it continued to suppress terrorists and defend the people.
He said the Afghans could not be scared or broken with such barbaric attacks which instead exposed the enemy’s nefarious designs.
Abdullah said investigation into the attack on Qahraman had begun and the Afghan security forces were ready to keep security for the elections.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan National Security Advisor Hamdullah Muhib condemned the killing of Qahraman and said the attack showed the terrorists had no belief in public rule.
He said the enemies of Afghanistan should realize they could not do away with democracy by targeting influential national figures.
Muhib said Qahraman had always supported the system and the country’s defense and security forces and he maintained a strong stance against the enemies of Afghanistan peace and stability.
Independent Directorate of Local Governance head Matin Baig said Abdul Jabar Qahraman was one of the country’s true sons killed by the enemies of the soil.
“Our enemies are trying to disrupt the upcoming elections with such conspiracies and terrorize people not to partake in the process.”
Baig said the people of Afghanistan should avenge the killing of their elders by going to polling stations on the election day.
The interior and defense ministers and a number of politicians and government high up condemned the killing of Qahraman — the 10th candidate to die in recent weeks ahead of the polls.
The Taliban, who have threatened to disrupt the election, were quick to assert responsibility for the killing of Qahraman.
An army general during the occupation of Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union, Qahraman in recent years served President Ashraf Ghani’s envoy in Helmand, leading the battle against the Taliban insurgents.
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