Gunmen on motorbikes shot dead the deputy chief of intelligence in Afghanistan`s southern city of Kandahar, an official said Tuesday, in the latest in a series of assassinations.

Azizullah, who has only one name, was gunned down on his way home late Monday, the Kandahar provincial intelligence chief, Abdul Qayoum Katawazi, said.

`He was shot dead by armed people riding motorbikes,` Katawazi said.

The official could not say who might have been behind the attack but the Taliban, an insurgent group waging a bloody insurgency against government, have been blamed for similar acts.

Security has deteriorated in recent months in major Afghan cities, including the capital Kabul where a French aid worker was kidnapped on Monday and three foreigners were gunned down last month.

Kandahar has seen several assassinations in recent weeks: a prominent pro-government Afghan tribal elder and his son were shot dead last week.

A senior government official and the city`s top policewoman have also been gunned down by attackers on motorbikes.