Gun attack injures diplomat from Tajikistan in north Afghanistan

A diplomat from Tajikistan was injured in a gun attack in northern Kunduz province of Afghanistan while traveling from Badakhshan province, said officials on Saturday. The governor of Badakhshan, Ahmad Naveed Frotan in a statement said that Tajikistan Consul, Rustam Makhmudov?’s vehicle came under attack on his way to Kunduz province. The diplomat was evacuated to the Doctors Without Borders Hospital after sustaining injuries to his hand. The diplomat is reported to be in stable condition. Police spokesman, Syed Sarwar Hussaini confirmed the incident, adding that the attackers managed to flee the scene. An investigation into the attack is currently underway and a search operation has been launched for the culprits. Tajikistan's consulate has been operating for a decade in Faizabad, the capital of northeastern Badakhshan province. The attack came days after the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced a runoff presidential election across Afghanistan on June 14th to choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai. The militants have paced up their activities as NATO/ISAF troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan at the end of the year.