SINGAPORE – US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday the killing of atop Afghan official would not fundamentally change the security situationin Kandahar province.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for Thursday’s shooting in therestive southern province that killed anti-Taliban strongman and policechief, General Abdul Raziq.

At least two other people died during the attack inside a fortifiedgovernment compound in Kandahar city that targeted a high-level securitymeeting.

The top commander for US and NATO forces, General Scott Miller, was alsopresent but escaped injury.

Mattis said he did not see Raziq’s death as changing things on the groundin Kandahar.

“I’ve seen the officers around him. I’ve seen the maturation of the Afghansecurity forces,” Mattis told reporters on the sidelines of a securitysummit in Singapore.

“It’s a tragic loss of a patriot for Afghanistan. But I don’t see it havinga long term effect on our area.”

The Pentagon chief said it was too early to know if the assault wouldhamper turnout for parliamentary elections set for October 20. – APP/AFP