Unknown gunmen killed a Kandahar journalist, Abdul Manan Arghand, on Wednesday morning.  

Arghand’s family said the incident happened at about 9am in Yarana Market in PD9 in Kandahar city. 

According to his family, Arghand, 31, had been driving in his car when gunmen, on a motorcycle, opened fire on him.  

The family said Arghand died immediately. 

Kandahar officials have not yet commented.  

Arghand had worked for Kabul News TV for a number of years. He also reportedly worked for China’s state news agency Xinhua. 

Arghand is survived by his wife and three children. 

No group including the Taliban has so far claimed responsibility for the shooting.

In their annual report for 2017, Reporters Without Borders, said last year was a particularly deadly one for journalists in Afghanistan. 

At least 15 journalists and media workers were killed, many in targeted attacks. 

The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee (AJSSC) said in its report that 2017 was the “bloodiest” year ever for journalists and other media personnel working in Afghanistan.

According to the AJSSC, 20 journalists and media workers were killed last year, an increase from 13 deaths in 2016.

In 2017, the majority of incidents of violence against media personnel took place in Kabul.