Associate killed Karzai's half-brother, not Taliban: Official

Washington, Aug 1 (ANI): Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai's half-brother was killed by an associate over a personal issue, and was not assassinated by the Taliban, a Western official has claimed.

The Taliban had earlier claimed responsibility for the death of Ahmed Wali Karzai on July 12.

But the official has said close review of the killing led authorities to conclude the Taliban was not behind Ahmed's assassination, CBS News reports.

The gunman was identified as Sardar Mohammad, a trusted friend of the family and security commander.

As provincial council chairman of Kandahar, Ahmed was thought of as a stongman leader, and perhaps the most powerful man in southern Afghanistan.

He was also a deeply controversial figure, believed to be involved in Afghanistan's drug trade and central to the corruption that has marred the Afghan government. (ANI)