Chinese citizen 'murdered' in northern Afghanistan

A Chinese citizen was "murdered" in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province, the Taliban provincial police said on Wednesday, adding that a preliminary investigation had been launched.

An interpreter accompanying the victim was unharmed, police said.

It was not clear who was behind the attack or whether it was carried out by militants.

China was the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan under the Taliban and has said it wants to boost trade and investment ties.

The Taliban took over in 2021, vowing to restore security to the war-torn nation. Attacks have continued, including one claimed by Islamic State on a hotel popular with Chinese investors in 2022 in Kabul.