Commander among 18 rebels killed in Badghis

QALA-I-NAW (PAN fighters killed during a joint operation by Afghan and foreign troops in northwestern Badghis province, officials said on Saturday.

Another four militants were captured during the offensive in Chap Chal and Joy Ganj areas of Bala Murghab district on Friday evening, police chief, Col. Mohammad Jabbar, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The rebel commander, identified as Mullah Shah Gul, and 10 of his accomplices were killed in the Joy Ganj area, while another six guerrillas were killed in Chap Chal area, where four others were detained.

Zainuddin, a resident, said helicopter-borne soldiers launched the operation at 7pm, targeting Taliban hideouts.

Meanwhile, intelligence operatives found and defused a bomb-rigged motorcycle near the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction).

The motorbike was parked near the northern gate of the PRT headquarters, an intelligence official said on condition of anonymity.

myn/ma/mud