Gunman on motorbike kills 5 Afghan cricket players

An Afghan official said a gunman on a motorcycle opened fire at a group of local cricket players, killing five of them during a game in eastern Laghman province.

An Afghan official said a gunman on a motorcycle opened fire at a group of local cricket players, killing five of them during a game in eastern Laghman province.

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A provincial spokesman, Sarhadii Zhouak, says the attack took place on Thursday in Alinghar district. He says the attacker fled the scene.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but Zhouak blamed the Taliban. When the Taliban ruled the country, they severely restricted sports and public celebrations.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued a statement condemning the attack.

Elsewhere, spokesman Omar Zwak in southern Helmand province says police found the body of slain journalist Noor Ahmad Noori late on Thursday night.

Zwak says the 30-year-old Nouri, who worked for the local Radio Busd had been abducted earlier in the day.