File photo of Ahmad Wali Karzai, brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, speaking in Kandahar.[Photo/Agencies]?

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Ahmad Wali Karzai, a brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai and one of the most powerful men in southern Afghanistan, was killed on Tuesday, an official and a family member confirmed. ? ? ? ?

"I confirm that Ahmad Wali was killed inside his house," said Zalmay Ayoubi, spokesman for the governor of Kandahar province, where Ahmad Wali Karzai lived and was head of the provincial council.

A cousin of Ahmad Wali Karzai, who asked not to be named, also confirmed to Reuters that he had been killed.