Unknown gunmen have shot dead Afghan vice president and minister for works Haji Abdul Qadir.
Afghan officials say Vice President Qadir was attacked as he drove into his office compound in central Kabul. Reports say some 36 rounds were fired at his car, smashing the windscreen and riddling the sides with holes. Officials say his driver was also killed in the attack but the gunmen managed to escape.
Kabul police chief, Basir Salangi is quoted as saying 10 guards at the public works ministry have been detained in connection with the attack.
Officials of the International Security Assistance forces say they are investigating the incident.
Haji Abuld Qadir, a Pashtun leader from eastern Afghanistan, was one of three vice presidents chosen by last month's Afghan grand council. His appointment was seen as an attempt to provide ethnic balance in the existing Afghan government after complaints from Pashtuns that they were being sidelined in favor of minority Tajiks.