General Abdul Razeq - one of Afghanistan's most powerful and feared police chiefs was assassinated - just moments after meeting the US' top commander in the country on Thursday.

Pictured speaking here last year - Razeq was shot by a bodyguard at the compound of the governor of Kandahar.

General Scott Miller was unharmed in the attack, which also killed the governor and a local intelligence commander.

The Taliban - who've claimed responsibility for the attack - say they were targeting Gen Miller and Gen Razeq.

Local officials say Miller - who took over US forces in the country last month - was saved by his body armor.

Razeq was a ruthless opponent of the Taliban - had been criticized by human rights groups, but lauded by U.S. officers.

The assassinations come just 2 days before parliamentary elections in the country - which the Taliban have vowed to disrupt.