Kandahar: Insurgents kill former district chief

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Armed insurgents have killed a former district chief in southern Kandahar province, an official said on Saturday.

Haji Abdul Ghani Muslimyar’s body was found Friday night between Kandahar’s Daman and Zabul’s Shahr-i-Safa districts.

Kandahar police spokesman Jamal Nasir Barakzai confirmed the incident and said they had launched an investigation to trace his killer and the motive behind his murder.

A reliable security source, wishing anonymity, told Pajhwok Afghan News Muslimyar was initially kidnapped in Daman district, where he was on the way to his garden. Later on, the former district chief was killed, he revealed.

The source said Muslimyar was accompanied by two bodyguards, who have since been missing.

Muslimyar served as administrative chief for Spin Boldak, Arghistan, Shah Walikot and Maroof districts.

Three months ago, he was dismissed from his position as the new Kandahar governor appointed new heads for all 17 districts of the province.

Meanwhile, Governor Roohullah Khanzada expressed his profound grief over the incident. In a statement, he said Muslimyar tirelessly served the country and people for years.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing.

hr/mud