Mohammad Jan Abdullah Wardak[1] (1954 or 1955 – 13 September 2008) was an Afghan politician and former Mujahideen commander. He served as a government Minister and Governor of Logar Province.[1][3]
In January 2005 Abdullah Wardak visited Evansville, Indiana and spoke at the Bethel Temple Community Church. He spoke about the war in Afghanistan and how he was helping the church to open a school, an orphanage and a home for widows in Kabul.[7] He received the key to the city from Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel.[8]
Assassination
On the morning of 13 September 2008 Abdullah Wardak left his residence in Paghman, Kabul Province and was being driven to his office.[9] His vehicle was targeted in a remote controlmine detonation while crossing a dry riverbed. The car was destroyed and Abdullah Wardak, his driver and two bodyguards were killed.[5][9] The attack happened around 08:00 local time, approximately 300 yards from Abdullah Wardak's home.[10] Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the bomb had been remotely detonated by two Taliban insurgents.[9] Abdullah Wardak was the second provincial Governor to be assassinated by the Taliban. The first was the Governor of Paktia Province, Hakim Taniwal in September 2006. President Hamid Karzai condemned the assassination by "terrorists" and was said to be "deeply saddened"[3] he described Abdullah Wardak as a "true son of Afghanistan".[9] Zemarai Bashary a spokesman for the Interior ministry said "The Governor has been martyred".[3]
On 14 September 2008 Abdullah Wardak's funeral was held at the mosque in Pajak village, Paghman District, he was buried in the grounds of his home. The funeral was held amid tight security and attended by government officials and members of the United National Front.[11]
