Afghan official: Gunmen assassinate member of government council for peace talks with Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan official says gunmen have killed a member of the country's High Peace Council in the southern city of Kandahar.

The provincial spokesman, Samim Akhpelwak, said Friday that Sheirin Agha was assassinated during prayers at a Kandahar mosque on Thursday night.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the killing, but in the past, the Taliban have attacked members of the High Peace Council, a government body tasked with peace talks with the Taliban insurgency.

Separately, nine Afghans, including several children, were wounded in the crossfire during a clash between the Taliban and policemen in eastern Kapisa province on Thursday.

Kapisa Governr Mehrabuddin Safi says Taliban fighters attacked a checkpoint in Alasaye district, triggering a shootout with the security forces.