KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A civil society activist was shot dead in Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Saturday, provincial government spokesman said.

"A gunman shot and killed Nafah Rokyal in Qala Faisal locality of the city Saturday evening. The attacker fled the scene after the shooting and the security forces launched a massive manhunt in the area to nab the culprit,"spokesman Samim Khpalwak told Xinhua.

"Rokyal was well-known for his personality. He was a respected civil society activist in Kandahar,"the source said while blaming Taliban militant group for the latest targeted attack.

The Taliban militants, who ruled the country before they were ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, staging ambush and suicide attacks, killing combatants as well as civilians.

Military personnel, civilians considered to be supporting government, government employees, religious leaders, tribal elders and people involved in peace and reconciliation efforts came under attack in targeted killings.