On Friday, the Taliban shot down the director of the Afghan government's Information Center, the latest killing in a series of attacks on journalists and human rights activists in recent months.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told The Associated Press that the group's fighters killed Dawa Khan Menapal, who ran government press operations for domestic and foreign media.
In a statement later released by Mujahid, he said Menapal "was killed in a special attack from the Mujahideen" and "was punished for his actions.
Mujahid did not give further details. Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Several recent attacks on civilians have been claimed by Islamic State, although the government has often blamed the Taliban.