An Afghan special force soldier searches a passenger near a checkpoint in Ghazni city, capital of eastern Ghazni province, Afghanistan, Oct. 22, 2015. Governor of Jaghatu district in Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province was killed along one policeman following an armed attack on Thursday, the latest in a string of attacks against government officials, police said. (Xinhua/Rahmat)
GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Governor of Jaghatu district in Afghanistan's eastern Ghazni province was killed along one policeman following an armed attack on Thursday, the latest in a string of attacks against government officials, police said.
"Governor of Jaghatu district Mohammad Dawood and one police were martyred after militants attacked his vehicle with small arms fire in Saa Qala locality of the district in early hours of the day," provincial police Chief General Aminullah Amarkhel told Xinhua.
The province, with Ghazni city as its capital, 125 km south of Afghan capital of Kabul, has been the scene of heavy fighting earlier this month as security forces have repelled militants who tried to take control of Ghazni city.
The deceased governor was travelling in his official vehicle from Ghazni city toward the district, which is located in northern edge of the city, Amarkhel added.
The Taliban militant group claimed responsibility for the incident shortly after the attack.
The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched its annual rebel offensive against security forces.
On Wednesday night, four militants and two police personnel were killed after Taliban attacked a border police station in Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province near the border with Pakistan.
The Taliban urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants.
