FARAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- A district governor has been killed in a bomb attack in Afghanistan's western province of Farah, the latest in a string of targeted killings in the insurgency-hit country, a local official said on Tuesday.
"Abdul Khaliq Noorzai Governor of Khak-e-Safed district was martyred following an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack in the district late Monday evening," a provincial official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
The attack occurred near late Noorzai's house as he was leaving for a local mosque to attend night prayers, the source added.
Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack in the province, 695 km west of national capital of Kabul.
The civilians considered to be supporting government, civilian government employees, religious leaders, tribal elders and persons involved in peace and reconciliation efforts came under attack in targeted killings over the past years.
More than 650 Afghans were killed and over 560 others wounded by the targeted attacks last year across the country, according to latest figures released by the UN mission in the country.
