The head of Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, former President Burhanuddin Rabbani, who was tasked with trying to negotiate a political end to the war, was killed at his home on Tuesday, a senior police officer said.
His residence is in Kabul’s heavily guarded diplomatic area, and the attack came just a week after a 20-hour siege at the edge of the area sometimes known as the “green zone”.
“Rabbani has been martyred,” said Kabul CID head Mohammed Zahir. A police source said Masoom Stanekzai, a senior adviser to President Hamid Karzai, was badly injured in the attack. “Masoom Stanekzai is alive but badly wounded.”
Rabbani, a former leader of a powerful mujahideen party during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, was chosen by Mr Karzai to head the High Peace Council last October. His plan included offering amnesties and jobs to Taliban foot soldiers and asylum in third countries to leaders.
President Hamid Karzai announced he was cutting short a visit to the United States and rushing back home.
However, he is still expected to meet US President Barack Obama before returning to Kabul.
“This is a big blow to peace process and a huge loss for Afghanistan,” said Sadiqa Balkhi, a member of peace council. “Prof. Rabbani was an influential and spiritual leader and was successful in luring Taliban fighters into the peace process.” — Reuters