The incident happened when a vehicle carrying Rangeen Mushkwani, a former member of Meshrano Jirga or upper house of the country's parliament, was struck by a roadside bomb blast at midday, acting-Governor Faiz Mohammad Mirzazada told Xinhua.

The deceased Mushkwani was travelling from Ab Kamari district to provincial capital Qala-e-Naw city when the explosion took place in Mubarak Shah village of Ab Kamari, the official added.

"Another vehicle accompanying Mushkwani was also affected in the attack as a gunfight followed the explosion, and an exchange of fire between the Taliban and people aboard the vehicle took place," he said.

Details about the gunfight were not immediately available.

Badghis province has been the scene of heavy clashes in recent years.

The attack came as a government delegation and Taliban representatives are involved in peace talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar.