In pictures: Attempt on Afghan leader's life

Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped an assassination attempt in the southern city of Kandahar on Thursday.

The uniformed gunman was wrestled to the ground and shot dead by Karzai's US bodyguards

The lone attacker had fired four shots into the car, narrowly missing Karzai

There was chaos as security forces and Afghan people rushed to ensure the president was safe

The incident happened when Karzai was in Kandahar for his brother's wedding and many turned out to greet him

His convoy slowed as Karzai stopped to speak to one well-wisher, then shots rang out

Afghan soldiers hurried to seal off the scene...

...and inspect the body of the gunman, said to be Abdul Rahman, from Kajaki in the province of Helmand

Meanwhile US special forces urgently checked the area nearby

But speaking after his miraculous escape the Afghan leader calmly reassured the BBC that he was "fine"