Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s half-brother assassinated, Taliban claims responsibility

Ahmed Wali Karzai, the half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the head of the Kandahar provincial council, was assassinated at his home Tuesday morning by Sardar Mohammad, a longtime confidante who reportedly served as a security commander in the Zakir Sharif area.

A spokesman for the Taliban has claimed responsibility for the killing on behalf of the terrorist organization in a statement issued to Al Jazeera, alleging that Mohammad had been assigned to carry out the mission many years ago. Afghan officials have disputed the Taliban’s claim for credit, saying the assassination was likely carried out by a member of Wali Karzai’s inner circle.

President Karzai confirmed his half-brother’s death during a press conference, telling reporters, “My younger brother was martyred in his house today. This is the life of all Afghan people. I hope these miseries which every Afghan family faces will one day end.”

A security source has announced that Wali Karzai was shot in the chest and stomach by Mohammad before he was murdered by other bodyguards. Kandahar’s preeminent powerbroker survived nine prior assassination attempts, ABC News notes.

Provincial council member Haji Ehsan disputes the notion that the killing occurred as a result of a personal dispute between Wali Karzai and Mohammad.

“This morning, they had spoken on the phone before [Mohammad] went to visit him,” he said. “This can’t be a personal feud. They were too close. This is definitely a conspiracy against Ahmed Wali, it is difficult to say at this point by who.”