SHIBERGHAN (PAN): Suspected militants, who have vowed to disrupt Thursday's polls, have killed a provincial council candidate in northern Jawzjan province, officials said on Tuesday.

Provincial police chief, Brig. Gen. Abdul Khalil Aminzada, told Pajhwok Afghan News Mullah Abdul Rahim was gunned down on his way from Aqcha to Murdyan district late Monday night.

Two gunmen got him down form a passenger vehicle and opened fire on him, according to the police chief, who said a man and a girl were wounded in the incident. No one has been so far arrested in connection with the murder.

Murdyan district chief, Abdullah, said Mullah Abdul Rahim was going home located in the district. He blamed Taliban fighters for the slaying. No one has so far claimed responsibility for killing the candidate.

Two weeks back, two candidates for provincial council seats -- Mullah Khairullah and Maulvi Mohammad Nabi -- were kidnapped by Taliban in Qush Tepa and Darz Ab districts of the province. However, they were freed later on.

myn/mud