16 rebels eliminated in Kunduz offensive ,

KUNDUZ (Pajhwok): Sixteen militants, including a Taliban-designated governor for Archi district, were killed during a joint security operation in the Gul Tepa area of northern Kunduz province on Monday, officials said.    

Syed Sarwar Hussaini, the police spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban had infiltrated from Archi district to support insurgents in the area.

He said control of three security check-posts that had been under siege for 10 days had been wrested and the area purged of militants. Security personnel and civilians remained unhurt during the offensive.

A notorious Taliban commander and shadowy governor for Archi district was killed in the ensuing battle, he added. However, the insurgent group did not comment on the incident.

Security officials said most the militants, including two commanders, were killed in different parts of the province during the operation.

But Taliban claimed inflecting heavy casualties on security forces in Imam Sahib district and brought a large area under their control. 

ra/rm