KABUL: Eyewitnesses told Afghanistan International that Mawlawi Noman, an aide to Afghan Taliban intelligence chief, was killed in a targeted drone or rocket attack in Kabul. The statement contradicts earlier claims that his death was caused by a gas-cylinder explosion. According to Afghan media, sources close to the Taliban had initially said Mawlawi Noman died when a gas cylinder exploded at his home. However, an eyewitness living near the residence said a second-floor room of the house where Noman and a guest were present at the time was completely destroyed. The eyewitness described the incident as “highly targeted and calculated,” adding that the force of the blast was inconsistent with a domestic accident. According to the witness, the guest who was with Mawlawi Noman was also killed in the attack. No official information has been released about the identity of the guest. The eyewitness further said Taliban forces arrived quickly at the scene and deleted images and videos recorded by residents and neighbours in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Taliban officials have so far made no public comment on the incident. It remains unclear whether the intended target was Mawlawi Noman or the unidentified guest who was with him at the time of the attack.