KANDAHAR -- A prominent Afghan parliamentarian has been gunned down outside his house in Kandahar province, in an assassination authorities fear could herald a surge in rebel violence.

Habibullah Jan was shot repeatedly as he made his way from a guest house to his main residence late Friday in the Sanzari area near Kandahar city, Afghan officials said yesterday.

One prominent politician said he warned the member of parliament just this week that he could be targeted by assassins, and he expressed fear that Jan's death could create a vacuum for the insurgency.

Ahmed Wali Karzai said he told Jan over lunch just two days earlier that he should leave the area because of threats on his life.

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