<p>HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Unidentified gunmen have shot dead two security contractors of private company in western Herat province, an official said on Saturday.</p>
<p>Jilani Farhad, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the incident took place in the Pul-i-<a href="/en/pashtun" class="glossify-link">Pashtun</a> area in front of the UN mission on Friday evening.</p>
<p>He said the two guards were shopping when shot dead by unknown motorcyclists, who managed to flee the area.</p>
<p>A manhunt had been launched for the killers, he said, adding the motive behind the shooting was yet to be ascertained.</p>
<p>The attack comes weeks after residents and activists of provincial capital expressed serious concerns over growing insecurity, especially terrorist activities, in the city.</p>
<p>The Herat government has banned all unregistered vehicles and motorbikes in the area for a month. The ban went into effect from Saturday (today).</p>
<p>Governor Abdul Qayyum Rahimi said the restrictions had been put in place to assess the overall security situation in the province.</p>
<p>Sayed Ashraf Sadat, a civil <a href="/en/society" class="glossify-link">society</a> activist, voiced his deep concern over increasing insecurity, saying basic programmes, like an increase in the strength of security forces and intelligence operatives, would help ensure peace in the province.</p>
<p>sa/mud</p>
