KABUL, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Parliamentary candidate Hayat Khan was killed on Monday evening in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province along with three of his family members, provincial government spokesman Attaullah Khogiani said Tuesday.

A militant driving an explosive-laden car blew himself up next to the car of Hayat Khan in Rodat district of Nangarhar province on Monday evening.

Hayat Khan, according to Khogiani, was a potential candidate and peace loving one in the eastern region of the war-battered country.

More than 2,000 aspirants have offered their candidacy for Afghan parliamentary elections slated for Oct. 20 to secure seat for the 249-seat Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of the parliament.

Meanwhile, Afghan Presidential Palace in a statement released here Tuesday has described the attack on Hayat Khan as a coward terrorist one and strongly condemned it.?