Afghan officials on Sunday said that the Taliban’s designated governor for Laghman known as Abdul Hadi Pashaeewal was killed in an attack by unidentified armed men near his residence in the city of Peshawar on Saturday evening.

The Taliban has not confirmed the incident.

“His killing in Pakistan has a negative impact in terms of morale (on their fighters) because it raises the question among them about why it happened there. It is obvious that their foundation is there (in Pakistan) and it will influence their ranks,” Laghman police chief Manzoor Stanekzai said.

Sources said that Pashaeewal was a resident of Alishang district in Laghman and was assigned as designated governor for Laghman for the past one year and he was a member of the Taliban’s military commission.

Sources said that at some point he came to an area near the city of Mehtarlam, the center of Laghman province.

Laghman residents said they are concerned about the security situation in the province.

“Anti-government armed opposition comes here sometimes. There are clashes here. We want peace,” Laghman resident Anzorgul said.

“We hear the sound of firing all the time,” Laghman resident Shah Wali said.

Local officials and activists said the death of the Taliban member would have a good impact on security if the news were true. 

“The threats are there. Security forces are traveling in big convoys," said Mohammad Zahir Husainkhil, a member of Laghman's provincial council.

“Clashes happen in areas near the city. In some cases, armed opposition fighters roam in villages on the outskirts of (Mehtarlam) city,” said Hanifullah Ghamkhwar, a civil society activist in Laghman.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said that so far they have not gathered the required information about the incident.