Afghan minister confirms killing

Afghan vice president Abdul Qadir was assassinated today, the interior minister said.

His driver was also killed but the gunmen escaped.

Qadir, one of three vice presidents chosen by last month’s grand council, was gunned down outside the Ministry of Public Works, according to interior minister Taj Mohammed Wardak.

Qadir also served as the public works minister and was a former governor of Nanghahar province.

He played a leading role in last year’s downfall of the Taliban.