This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-14118884

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Afghanistan: Karzai half-brother 'assassinated' Afghanistan: Karzai half-brother 'assassinated'
(40 minutes later)
The half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been killed in an assassination attempt, officials say.The half-brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been killed in an assassination attempt, officials say.
Ahmad Wali Karzai, the younger half-brother of the Afghan president and leader of the Kandahar Provincial Council, had been shot dead, presidential spokesmen Waheed Omar told the BBC. Ahmad Wali Karzai, the younger half-brother of the Afghan president and leader of the Kandahar Provincial Council, was shot dead, presidential spokesmen Waheed Omar told the BBC.
Initial reports suggest he was shot by his bodyguard in his house in Kandahar.Initial reports suggest he was shot by his bodyguard in his house in Kandahar.
A controversial politician, some saw him as a defender of Pashtun rights.A controversial politician, some saw him as a defender of Pashtun rights.
Critics said he was a warlord mired in corruption. Ahmad Wali Karzai had survived attempts on his life before, most recently in 2009. Critics said he was a warlord mired in corruption who was openly involved in the drugs trade and had a personal militia at his disposal.
He was a staunch ally of US and allied forces in Afghanistan, but had also been accused of drug trafficking. The president repeatedly had defended him, denouncing accusations that his brother was involved in criminal activities.
International forces in Afghanistan have expressed shock at the killing. Previous assassination attempts
Mr Karzai's body has been taken to a hospital, says the BBC's Quentin Somerville in Kabul. Following Tuesday morning's shooting, the body of Ahmad Wali Karzai, who was born in 1961, was taken to a nearby hospital.
He was a staunch ally of US and allied forces in Afghanistan, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul, to the extent that they turned a blind eye to accusations he was involved in drug trafficking.
It is hard to overstate how important he was in the south of Afghanistan and in Nato's efforts to combat the Taliban in their stronghold there, adds our correspondent.
International forces in Afghanistan have expressed shock at the killing. There has been no word yet from the Afghan president himself.
Ahmad Wali Karzai had survived attempts on his life before, most recently in a rocket and machine gun attack in 2009 as his convoy was travelling towards Kabul.
The previous year, he was chairing a meeting in a government building when a bomb-filled fuel tanker exploded close by.
Although Mr Karzai escaped unhurt, six people were killed and 40 wounded in the blast.
He and other officials blamed Taliban militants for the bombing.
In 2003, Mr Karzai's house in Kandahar city was hit by an explosion which he said was caused accidentally when some weapons were being moved.
Are you in Kandahar? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC, you can do so using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions