LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Suspected Taliban insurgents shot and killed an influential tribal elder in this capital city of southern Helmand province, the governor said on Friday.
Governor Abdul Nabi Ilham said the elder was gunned down in Nehr Siraj area of Lashkargah on Thursday.
He identified the slain elder as Ghulam Jan Aka, a former head of the social council of Sangin district and commander of Afghan local police.
The governor said Jan Aka had rendered numerous sacrifices during his struggle to keep unity among people and pave the way for development as well as for the protection of the soil and national honor.
The governor instructed intelligence agencies to find the killers and punish them for their action.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the killing.
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