The fate of Afghan opposition leader Ahmed Shah Masood remains unclear amid conflicting reports following Sunday's assassination attempt. Media reports quoting several sources differ over whether Mr. Masood is dead, seriously injured or lightly wounded after unknown assailants tried to kill him with a bomb. His whereabouts is also unknown.
Mr. Masood's brother, Ahmed Wali, told the Associated Press the opposition leader is in serious condition and unconscious in a hospital in neighboring Tajikistan. Other members of Afghanistan's opposition say Commander Masood remains in Afghanistan and is only lightly wounded. Russia's Itar-Tass news service says Mr. Masood is dead. The U.S. State Department says it is unable to confirm reports of his death.
Commander Masood is the military leader of Afghanistan's beleaguered opposition against the hard-line, ruling Taleban militia. His death could have a major impact on Afghanistan's future.
On Sunday, two attackers posing as journalists exploded a bomb hidden in a videocamera while interviewing Mr. Masood. The would-be assassins and an opposition interpreter were killed. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Opposition sources have blamed the attack on Afghanistan's fundamentalist Islamic Taleban movement, as well as alleged terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden. But Taleban officials have denied involvement.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.