Election runner among 8 wounded in Kabul attack

KABUL (Pajhwok): Unidentified gunmen have shot dead an individual and wounded eight others, including a Wolesi Jirga candidate, in an apparent kidnap attempt in Kabul.

Four motorcyclists attacked Zulfiqar Stanikzai, a lower house hopeful, in the Arghanda area of Paghman district on Friday, his son Asadullah Mubarez told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said the gunmen opened fire at them after they failed to abduct his father. One villager was killed and eight others wounded, including Zulfiqar Stanikzai. Mubarez was also wounded in the attack.

Mubarez blamed the Taliban for the attack, but the militants have said nothing in this regard so far.

He said police rushed to the site. Police initially said one individual had been arrested in connection with the incident. But the detainee was later declare a mentally deranged person.

Pajhwok tried to contact Kabul police for comments on the attack but failed.

sa/mud