Kabul, Apr. 13 : The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the killing of a female politician who championed women''s rights.

Sitara Achakzai was gunned down outside her home in Kandahar, southern Afghanistan, on Sunday.

The Telegraph quoted Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmedi as claiming responsibility for Sunday''s attack.

Four men, who drove up on two motorcycles, shot at Achakzai as she was getting out of her car.

Achakzai, a dual German-Afghan citizen, spent the years of Taliban rule in Germany and returned to her native country to fight for women''s rights, said Shahida Bibi, a member of the Kandahar women''s association who worked with Achakzai.

A member of Kandahar''s provincial council, Achakzai was vocal in encouraging women to take jobs and encouraging them to fight for equal rights, Bibi said. (ANI)