The brother of Spera district chief was killed along with five other people in the eastern Afghan province of Khost on Sunday morning, said an official.
“Militants launched an attack on the house of Spera administrative chief Mohammad Azam in Ismahil Khail district killing his brother Mohammad Khalil,” administrative chief of Ismahil Khail district, Younus Zadran, said.
He said five bodyguards of Mohammad Azam were also killed in the incident. However, Azam escaped the attack unhurt.
He said Khalil – brother of Mohammad Azim – was also Dwamanda district mayor. He was assailed along with his five bodyguards as they strolled in a garden next to the official’s residence.
Following the attack which took place at around 7:00 am local time, a pursuit operation was launched against the fleeing rebels, the official added.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Recently, Afghan officials and pro-government figures have been targeted as the Taliban insurgents intensified activities against government interests across the country.
Earlier, Ahmad Wali Tahiri, brother of Afghan National Security Advisor Rangin Dadfar Spant, was killed in a drive-by shooting in western Herat province. He was a district prosecutor there.
Residents of the area confirmed the incident. No one has so far claimed responsibility.