The Afghan interim minister for air transport and tourism has been beaten to death by frustrated Haj pilgrims who dragged him off a plane at Kabul airport, it has been reported today.
Mr Abdul Rahman was pulled off Ariana Airlines's only aircraft, which he had commissioned to take him to New Delhi yesterday evening. Haj pilgrims said he was thrown down the aircraft steps and beaten to death on the tarmac.
"Four people went inside the plane and dragged him out and killed him on the spot," said a pilgrim named Mirza. He said the pilgrims had camped at the airport for two days waiting for a flight to Mecca. He said they had paid $1,500 for the trip, a fortune for ordinary Afghans.
Tempers seem to have flared after two planes that were due to pick up the pilgrims were delayed.
Saudi officials have said pilgrims coming from abroad must arrive by Sunday to be able to perform the Haj, which Islamic scriptures urge every able-bodied adult Muslim to do if they can afford it.
An official at the air transport ministry confirmed the killing but declined to give details.
Foreign ministry spokesman Mr Omar Samad said the interim government had met late yesterday to discuss the killing. He said some of the pilgrims had been arrested and a commission of five ministers set up to investigate the killing.