KABUL — The US condemned the killing of a top Afghan peace negotiator and former Taliban senior official who was gunned down by assailants as he left his home in Kabul on Sunday.
Arsala Rahmani, a close adviser to President Hamid Karzai, was a key figure in Afghanistan’s High Peace Council (HPC), which was established to hold peace talks with Taliban insurgents.
Rahmani was struck by a bullet fired from a passing car shortly after leaving his Kabul home. He later died in the hospital.
His death is seen as a major blow to Karzai’s US-backed peace efforts.
The US condemned the killing, saying the incident was perpetrated by “enemies of stability and security [in the country].”
“The High Peace Council has been working for a durable, long-term peace in Afghanistan. The United States of America will continue to stand alongside the Afghan Government and people against terrorism and to work with them on behalf of a secure and prosperous Afghanistan,” the US Embassy said in a statement.
Rahmani, who was the Taliban’s higher education minister during its rule from 1996 to 2001, left the Islamic militia and joined Karzai’s government after the US invaded Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks by al Qaeda on US cities.
A statement released by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) described Rahmani’s work toward brokering peace in Afghanistan as an “inspiration.”
“His decision to help make the future brighter for Afghans serves as an inspiration to us all and his contributions will be missed. The International Security Assistance Forces offer their condolences and prayers to Rahmani’s family and loved ones,” the statement read.
“The only possible aim of this attack is to intimidate those, who like Rahmani, want to help make Afghanistan a better place for its citizens and the region. This attack is clear evidence that those who oppose the legitimate government of Afghanistan have absolutely no interest in supporting the peace process on any level but through murder, thuggery, and intimidation,” the statement added.
The Taliban denied responsibility for the shooting, but spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Wall Street Journal, “We are targeting HPC members.”
The Taliban said in a statement earlier this month that all HPC members were considered targets as part of its spring offensive against the US-led military coalition and the Afghan government.
Sunday’s incident occurred in the Dehbori area of western Kabul, TOLONews reported. Three gunmen in a Toyota Corolla fired upon the 70-year-old Rahmani and escaped, Afghan senator Abdullah Meyakhil said.
Rahmani “had recently established contacts with senior Taliban leaders,” a senior security official said.
Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Janan Mosazai condemned the killing, saying, “We condemn this cowardly assassination in the strongest possible terms. No one but the sworn enemies of peace in Afghanistan and the region would commit such a heinous act.”
“Mr. Rahmani gave his life to a cause that’s the just aspiration of the Afghan people. His work will continue,” he added.