KABUL -- A Chinese national has been killed in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province.

The victim was shot dead by unidentified gunmen Tuesday night in Dasht Qala district of Takhar province, Mohammad Akbar Haqqani, the provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua.

The cause of the incident remains unclear and an investigation is in progress, Haqqani added.

"China is deeply shocked at the attack and strongly condemns it. We express our condolences over the lives lost," said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, on Thursday.

"China has lodged serious protests to Afghanistan right after the attack and asked the country to conduct thorough investigations into the attack, and bring the perpetrators to justice." Mao added.