KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have shot and killed the director of Afghanistan’s government media center, the latest killing of a government official by the insurgents just days after an assassination attempt on the country’s acting defense minister. A Taliban spokesman confirmed the slaying on Friday in Kabul of Dawa Khan Menapal, the chief of the Afghan government’s press operations for the local and foreign media. The Taliban say Menapal “was killed in a special attack” by their mujahedeen, or holy warriors. The assassination comes amid Taliban advances and battles for more territory as U.S. and NATO forces complete their final pullout from Afghanistan by the end of the month.
Taliban kill Afghan media chief in Kabul; take southern city
