Brother of former Afghan Vice President shot dead by Taliban: Reports

Kabul: Rohullah Azizi, brother of Afghanistan's former Vice President Amrullah Saleh and his driver was shot dead by Taliban in Karukh district of northern Panjshir province, reports Associated Press quoting Saleh's nephew.

According to Shuresh Saleh his uncle, who is one of the leaders of the resistance front in Panjshir, was stopped by Taliban fighters at a checkpoint when they were going somewhere in a car on Thursday. Both Azizi and his driver was shot at the checkpoint, Saleh quoted as saying.

Saleh added that he was unaware of where his uncle was headed when the Taliban caught him. He said phones were not working in the area.

Quoting Khaama News, IANS reports that Azizi's body was not given to his relatives.

Meanwhile, the Taliban has denied the news and added that Azizi was killed during a conflict with them, reports IANS.

This is the second family member of the resistance front's leaders who lost their lives in Panjshir province. Earlier, Commander Abdul Wodood, the nephew of slain guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, was killed along with the spokesperson of the front Fahim Dashti.

Taliban has denied killing both and had added that they died in the intra-resistance front fight.

Panjshir province in the northeast of Kabul was the last holdout which was captured by the Taliban last week but fighting is still going on in some parts.

Officials in the resistance front claim to have taken some areas back from the Taliban but the latter has not commented on the issue yet.