Zalmai Ayubi, the spokesman for Kandahar province, says that Ahmad Wali Karzai was shot dead on Tuesday.

A provincial health official and a security guard protecting Ahmad Wali Karzai, who both spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the shooting.

Ahmad Wali Karzai, who was head of the Kandahar provincial council, had become a political liability for the Karzai government a symbol of cronyism and a lightning rod for criticism of all that is wrong with the Karzai administration.

But the president repeatedly defended him, denouncing accusations that his brother was involved in criminal activities.