Taliban shadow district chief killed in Kunar

ASADABAD (Pajhwok): A Taliban-designated district chief for Narang of eastern Kunar province has been killed along with an accomplice, an official said on Monday.

The district police chief, Cap. Mohammad Islam, told Pajhwok Afghan News the insurgent leader, Abdullah, and his companion were during a direct engagement with security forces in the Watapur district last night.

The clash erupted after militants mounted an attack on security check posts in the area, he said. One policeman was also killed during the firefight that left another three militant insurgents wounded, he added.   

He said the corpse of the slain Taliban leader remained at the battle site and the body would be handed over to tribal elders for its delivery to his family.

A Taliban spokesman Zahibullah Mujahid rejected their district chief for Narang had been killed, but confirmed a local Taliban commander and a fighter were killed in Watapur district.

He said the clash left several security personnel dead and wounded but he had no exact figures.

nh/ma