Local officials of northern Kunduz province reported on Wednesday that Amanullah Aman, the provincial chief of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen in Kunduz city. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on Twitter.
Security surrounding the upcoming Presidential and Provincial elections has been a major concern of government officials and the public. Most of security related issues have had to do with voter registration offices not being able to open in certain areas, and residents be too afraid to participate. This marks the first time a high-ranking IEC official has been a victim of a targeted attack.
Provincial officials said the incident took place around 8:15am when two gunmen on motorbikes began shooting at Mr. Aman while he was traveling in his car. After the IEC official was wounded, the gunmen fled from the crime scene.
"Amanullah Aman was injured in the shooting and rushed to a nearby hospital. The police have started investigating the attack," said Ebadullah Talwar, the deputy security head of Kunduz.
Sayed Mukhtar, the provincial head of the Kunduz Hospital, confirmed that Mr. Aman died from four gunshot wounds an hour after he was admitted.