Taliban’s district chiefs, commanders killed in Balkh

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): At least 45 Taliban airstrike in the Sholgar district of northern Balkh province, the army said on Sunday.

In a statement, the Shaheen Military Corps said the airstrike by Resolute Support troops targeted a Taliban meeting late on Saturday night.

It said Taliban’s chief for Chahar Bolak district Abdul Ghani -- also known as Mullah Javed, Mullah Najeeb, Mullah Nazeer and Mullah Mansour were killed along with 36 fighters.

Abdul Matin, a resident of Sholgar district, told Pajhwok Afghan News the raid happened in the Bodna Qala area of the district last night.

Prior to the airstrike, the militants attacked some security check-posts in the area but could not capture them, he said, adding the number of militants killed was yet to be ascertained.

A Taliban source in Sholgar district confirmed the overnight airstrike and said some insurgents were killed. However, he did not give a specific figure.

The source also verified the killing of Mullah Turabi, Rassoul Jan and Mullah Najeeb.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said nothing about the airstrike but claimed dozens of security forces suffered casualties in attacks in different provinces, including Balkh.

sa/mud