Body of Taliban’s shadow governor found

LASHKARGAH/KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): The dead body of a Taliban’s shadow governor for neighbouring Kandahar province has been found in the Garmsir district of southern Helmand province, sources said on Monday.

The Kandahar governor’s office in a statement said the shadow governor, Dr Wasea had recently been killed during a clash with Afghan forces in Band Timor area between Arghistan and Maiwand districts.

“Dr Wasea as a governor of Taliban was involved in disruptive activities in Kandahar City,” the statement alleged.

Helmand governor Mohammad Naeem told a news conference in Lashkargah the body of Dr Wasea was found a day earlier after he had been killed in a gun battle with security forces.

“The death of Wasea can affect Taliban’s activities, but the government does not want to kill its armed opponents, but wants to solve differences through peace talks,” he said. Naeem said the body of slain Taliban leader had been handed over to his family.

Helmand police chief Maj Gen Abdul Qayum Baqizoi said Dr. Wasea’s real name was Qari Abdul Hamid, who was killed five days ago during an operation in Garmsir.

His three companions were also killed and eight suspected individuals were arrested during the offensive that left one policeman dead and another wounded.

Meanwhile, police detained five suspected militants who were collecting ushr and zakat in northern Kunduz province on Monday.

The five were detained by crime branch police in Irang area of Chahardara district, police chief Brig Gen Ghulam Mustafa Mohsini said.

The detainees included a Taliban commander, Mullah Afzal, a bomb-making expert, he said.

mds/ma