KABUL, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government decided to postpone the parliamentary elections in the southern Kandahar province following the deadly terror attack that killed the provincial police chief, a government spokesman said Friday.

The attack on Thursday claimed the lives of at least four top provincial officials, including provincial police chief General Abdul Raziq, spokesman for Presidential Palace Shah Hussainmurtazawi said.

"In line with the wishes of Kandahar people and the suggestions of election commission, the National Security Council in its meeting decided to delay holding elections in Kandahar for one week," Hussainmurtazawi said in its Twitter account.

More than 2,500 candidates are contesting 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga or Lower House of Afghan parliament. The elections are scheduled on Oct. 20, with some 9 million eligible voters expected to cast their ballots amid tight security.

Taliban militants, who claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack and killing the police chief, have vowed to disrupt the voting on Saturday.