The Kandahar Governor Zalmai Wesa, Police Chief General Abdul Raziq and the Local Intelligence Head have been killed in an attack carried out by the governor’s own bodyguards in Aghanistan’s Southern Kandahar City on Thursday while the Commander of the US and NATO troops in Afghanistan General Scott Miller reportedly survived the attack (Scott Miller unhurt) .
BREAKING: I can confirm that Kandahar’s police chief, governor, and intelligence chief have all been killed. This is a huge blow. #Afghanistan
— Frud Bezhan فرود (@FrudBezhan) October 18, 2018
The incident occurred when guards of the provincial governor opened fire on their colleagues and American servicemen following a high level security meeting at the governor’s compound. 
US Commander General Scott Miller unhurt in Kandahar attack
The Afghan media reports said that the Police Chief General Abdul Raziq and the Local Intelligence Head were killed immediately in the attack while the governor died of injuries in the hospital.
Three US citizens including a soldier, civilian and contractor suffered injuries in the attack; however, General Scott Miller remained unhurt.
#Kandahar – Resolute Support has confirmed Gen Austin Scott Miller is safe & has left the Kandahar governor’s compound. There are however reports that two #Americans have been wounded – one military and one civilian. Kandahar police chief Gen Adbul Raziq was killed in the attack pic.twitter.com/YQnBunXaJi
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) October 18, 2018
As per TOLOnews, the incident occurred when high-ranking officials left the governor’s office and were heading to the helipad. The fire was opened by at least one of the governor’s bodyguards.
The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
#Kandahar Police Chief Gen Abdul Raziq visited TOLOnews just two weeks ago, where he came to pay his respects and sign a condolence book following the death of two of TOLOnews’ journalists last month. Raziq was killed in a shooting incident this afternoon #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/TCEOvmQ4sn
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) October 18, 2018
Meanwhile, the Taliban have again warned Afghans against participating in the Parliamentary Elections slated to be held on Saturday (October 20, 2018), saying that elections “are a foreign plot to prolong occupation”.
Pakistan condemns Kandahar attack
In a statement, the Foreign Office Spokesman in Islamabad Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan strongly condemns the Kandahar attack.
“Pakistan stands by the Afghan government and the people in this hour of trial,” Dr Faisal said.
The Spokesman said that they hope that Afghan parliamentary elections will be held peacefully as democracy is inevitable for stability and durable peace in Afghanistan.
پاکستان کی جانب سے قندھار حملے کی شدید مذمت pic.twitter.com/wGl7e8Q1Wi
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) October 18, 2018
