Provincial religious official killed in attack in south Afghanistan

A senior provincial religious official was killed along with two others in an armed attack in Afghanistan's southern province of Uruzgan on Saturday, the latest in a string of targeted killings against officials and local leaders, an official said.

"Chairman of Uruzgan's provincial Religious Council Mawlawi Lal Mohammad, a local leader named Ahmad Shah and one driver were killed following a bomb attack against their vehicle and ensuing gunfight at around midday," provincial government spokesman Doust Mohammad Nayab told Xinhua.

One person was injured in the attack which took place in Sarkhobid area along a main road in the province, 370 km southwest of Afghan capital of Kabul, the official added.

They were travelling to neighboring Kandahar province to attend a gathering, the official noted.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident as yet.

The civilians considered to be supporting government, civilian government employees, religious leaders, tribal elders and people involved in peace and reconciliation efforts came under attack in targeted killings.

Nearly 1,600 civilians were killed and more than 3,300 others wounded in conflicts and attacks in the first half of the year, according to UN mission figures.

Source: XINHUA