Key Taliban commander killed in Eastern Afghanistan

KABUL: (MEP) – A key Taliban commander named Mullah Zahid was killed in Noorgul district of eastern Kunar province on Friday, police said.

“A group of Taliban rebels under Mullah Zahid raided a police checkpoint in Noorgul district in the wee hours of Friday and police returned fire killing Zahid on the spot leading other militants to flee,” provincial police chief Habib Sayedkhili told Xinhua.

There were no casualties on the side of police, he added.

He also described Mullah Zahid as a key commander of Taliban in Kunar province, adding Zahid’s elimination was a major setback to the Taliban fighters in Kunar and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants fighting the government have yet to make comment.