Mattis says too soon to say if Afghan attack will affect ballot

It is too soon to say how an attack in Afghanistan that killed a top security chief would affect voter turnout in Saturday's elections, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, but added that the U.S. military's mission was unaltered.

"It's the loss of a patriot," Mattis said on Friday, referring to the death of General Abdul Razeq, the police commander in southern Kandahar.

"But we remain absolutely committed to an Afghan-led Afghan reconciliation. We need to find who's done this. But right now, we are going toward the election and we will continue to defend the Afghan people."