Taliban blamed in Karzai attack

The guman was shot dead by Karzai's bodyguards

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Kandahar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai has said he has no doubt that the gunman who tried to assassinate Afghan President Hamid Karzai had links to the Taliban.

Sherzai, who was wounded in Thursday's attack, told CNN on Saturday he had learned the gunman -- named as Abdur Rehman -- was a well-known Taliban activist.

Rehman, who was shot dead in the aftermath of the assassination attempt, had recently been recruited for security detail at Sherzai's palace, where the attempt on Karzai's life took place.

Karzai was not hurt. Sherzai was treated for a neck wound caused by a bullet.

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On Saturday, Karzai visited the grave of Ahmad Shah Masood to mark the first anniversary of the legendary commander's assassination at the hands of suspected al Qaeda operatives.

Karzai was accompanied by Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, and tight security.

"We will continue to fulfil the obligations and the desires of the man who lies here," Karzai told reporters.

Masood fought against Soviet occupation in the 1980s and went on to lead the Northern Alliance, which prevented the Taliban from taking over the entire country.

He was assassinated on September 9, 2001, by two Arabs posing as reporters.

Rehman was from neighbouring Helmand province, in an area that has long been a Taliban stronghold, and was related to a senior figure in the Taliban.

Afghan officials said recruits would undergo a more rigorous background checks in future.

Film of the attack shows Karzai inside a vehicle greeting well-wishers moments before the shots rang out.

U.S. Special Forces, which provide security for Karzai, responded with gunfire, killing the gunman.

Two other men near the gunman also were killed, but it was not immediately clear if they died in the crossfire or were shot by the gunman.

"I've been through this before," Karzai told reporters. "I've been hit three times at summits. Did that stop us from fighting?

"My father was assassinated by terrorists. Did that stop him from fighting against them?

"I will not stop. I'll continue."

The Foreign Ministry told CNN, however, that Karzai may curtail some of his future public appearances, but will not abandon them completely.

One of those who died was a Karzai bodyguard, a top Afghan official said.

Afghan authorities have so far detained 17 men for questioning in connection with the attack, a government spokesman said Friday.

The detainees included the security commander responsible for recruiting the suspected gunman, according to Khalid Pashtun, the Foreign Ministry's representative in Kandahar.

It was the second time in recent months authorities have attempted to kill the new Afghan president.

In late July, officials said they found a car filled with explosives that was meant to kill Karzai.