Gunmen Kill Provincial Official in Helmand

Unidentified gunmen have killed former district chief of Marja in southern Helmand province on Saturday night, local officials said on Sunday.

Haji Zahir Arian, former district chief of Marja and deputy of provincial peace council in Helmand province was killed by some gunmen, Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for governor of Helmand told TOLOnews.

Mr Arian was invited for dinner by the head of Helmand's provincial peace council, Najib Popal, when the gunmen broke into Popal's house and shot Arian dead.

Mr Popal was not hurt in the incident.

The attack happened at 08:00 pm last night in the capital Lashkargah, he added.

Haji Zahir had worked as the chief of Marja district for six months and he was recently appointed as the deputy of provincial peace council in Helmand.

Police officials said they have started investigation about the attack.

No group including the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the assassination.

Insurgents have increased their activities in most villages of Helmand province.

Lashkargah is one the seven areas whose security responsibility would be handed over to Afghan forces in July this year.