The murder of Ghulam Haidar Hameedi is the latest in a string of assassinations of allies of President Hamid Karzai in the critical southern region as some foreign troops begin to depart the almost 10-year conflict.
The suicide bomber detonated as Hameedi stood discussing a land dispute that started after the mayor ordered the destruction of illegally-built homes. At least two children were reportedly killed during the demolition.
"In a suicide attack by a (volunteer) in Kandahar municipality, mayor Hameedi, who killed two children and a woman by destroying a wall yesterday, is murdered," said Taliban spokesman Qari Yosuf Ahmadi in the text message.
The killing came two weeks after Karzai`s powerful brother was shot dead in the city and is a further setback for US-led efforts to control the Taliban`s spiritual home as foreign troops start to withdraw. (M014/K004)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
