Associate killed Karzais half-brother,not Taliban: Official

But the official has said close review of the killing led authorities to conclude the Taliban was not behind Ahmeds assassination,CBS News reports.

The gunman was identified as Sardar Mohammad,a trusted friend of the family and security commander.

As provincial council chairman of Kandahar,Ahmed was thought of as a stongman leader,and perhaps the most powerful man in southern Afghanistan.

He was also a deeply controversial figure,believed to be involved in Afghanistan8221;s drug trade and central to the corruption that has marred the Afghan government.