An Afghan parliamentary candidate was killed by Taliban in southern Afghanistan Saturday, an official said Sunday.

Haji Atiqullah, the candidate who had worked for last year's presidential elections, was killed in Tarin Kot district of Uruzgan province, the provincial governor Jan Mohammad Khan told Xinhua.

He condemned Taliban for being behind the killing to derail the upcoming elections.

However, Taliban has not claim the responsibility so far.

The candidate was killed and investigation is underway, confirmed Sultan Ahmad Baheen, the spokesperson of the UN-sponsored Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB).

Taliban, who vowed to derail the historic parliamentary election slated on Sept. 18, has intensified attacks against Afghan government, candidates and election workers in recent days.

Earlier this month, Mohammad Karim Qarabaghi, a candidate and former Taliban commander was shot dead in Kabul while four JEMB workers were injured when their a vehicle came under an attack in Parwan province.

Source: Xinhua