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NANGARHAR, Afghanistan, Sept 7 (AFP) - An Afghan woman campaigning for this month's parliamentary elections narrowly escaped death Wednesday after gunmen opened fire on her convoy in eastern Afghanistan, an official said.
"Armed men opened fire on the convoy of a woman parliamentary candidate, Safia Siddiqi, as she was campaigning in Khogiany district's Wazir area in Nangarhar province," provincial police chief Khalillulah Ziaee told AFP.
Siddiqi was not hurt but a policeman and two of her supporters were wounded, he added. He did not say who the attackers were.
Many female candidates for the September 18 vote have received threats and so far six men running for election have been killed by suspected militants linked to ousted Taliban militia, who have vowed to disrupt polls.
Siddiqi, who speaks fluent English and lived in Canada, has said she is standing to raise the rights of women and fight endemic corruption and violence.
She could not be reached for comment after the attack.
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