Afghan Government Media Department head assassinated

Afghanistan : After issuing warnings of retaliation against the increasing air strikes, Taliban on Friday shot dead the head of the Afghan government's media information centre Friday near a mosque in the capital.

The assassination comes hours before the UN Security Council meets in New York to discuss the conflict.

"Unfortunately, the savage terrorists have committed a cowardly act once again and martyred a patriotic Afghan," interior ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai said of the death of Dawa Khan Menapal.

Former presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said he was "utterly shocked and devastated".

"We lost another great soul," he added.

Meanwhile, Taliban has claimed responsibility of the assassination. It's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid sent a message to media saying "he was killed in a special attack carried out by mujahideen".

It must be noted that the attack has come after the militants had warned of killing top government officials on Wednesday. The warning was issued in backdrop of increasing air strikes by the Afghan and US militaries.

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