KABUL, Oct. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Suspected militants gunned down the director of intelligence department and three of his bodyguards in the restive Helmand province in south Afghanistan on Monday, officials confirmed.

    "Director of National Security Directorate in Helmand province Mohammad Daud along with his three armed bodyguards were killed when they came under enemies' attack at 12 o'clock local time," provincial secretary Hajji Mohidin told Xinhua.

    He, along with three bodyguards, was driving towards Sangin district when fell prey to enemies, Mohidin added.

    Taliban's spokesman Qari Yusuf claimed responsibility for the attack and said fighters of the movement punished them for their support to Americans.

    Taliban remnants who warned local people not to support the US-backed Afghan government also assassinated two pro-government religious leaders namely Mawlawi Mohammad Gul and Mawlawi in Helmand and Kunar provinces on Sunday night.

    A similar skirmish in southern Kandahar province claimed the lives of three Taliban operatives as the government launched operation in the area Sunday night.

    Over 1,300 people including rebels, Afghan and US troops as well as pro-government figures and even aid workers have been killed in Taliban-linked militancy since the beginning of this year. Enditem