Ex-Taliban spokesman killed in Afghanistan

KABUL (Reuters) - A former Taliban spokesman was shot dead in his home late on Friday evening by unknown gunmen in the southeastern province of Nangarhar, a provincial official said on Saturday.

Mohammad Hanif, who became a Taliban spokesman in October 2005 and was recently released from prison, was killed along with three members of his family when gunmen broke into his home in Chaparhar district, about 400 km (215 miles) southwest of Kandahar.

"Dr. Hanif and two of his cousins and one niece were killed when the unidentified armed men stormed his residence on Friday late evening," Ahmadzia Abdulzai, spokesman for the provincial governor said, adding it was too early to say who had killed Hanif and his relatives.

Afghan news agency Pajhwok News quoted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denying any Taliban involvement in the shootings.

Hanif said in a press conference four days before his death that certain elements in Pakistan were targeting him and he had obtained a gun license for personal protection.

(Reporting by Hamid Shalizi; Editing by Valerie Lee)