Key Taliban commander killed in Jawzjan clash

SHIBERGAHN (Pajhwok): A key Taliban commander has been killed along with a bodyguard during a clash with security and uprising forces in northern Jawzgan province, an official said on Thursday.

Jawzjan police chief Brig. Gen. Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani identified the slain commander as Toran Amrullah who was killed after he and his men stormed security check-posts on the Shiberghan-Sar-i-Pul highway on Wednesday night.

“The clash erupted shortly after 11pm and continued until 2am. Amrullah and his one bodyguard were killed, three others were wounded and the rest fled back to Khawaja Borhan village after their commander was killed,” he said.

Jawzjani said one member of the local uprising forces was killedd and two others wounded in the gun-battle. He said the situation was now under control.

Abdul Rasoul, a resident of Chahar Joft village on the highway, said the Taliban were no longer able to fight face-to-face with security forces after losing ground last year. “But sometimes at night they attack security posts.”

Rasoul confirmed the last night clash between Taliban and security forces. “I heard today that Toran Amrullah has been killed. He was a key commander who spearheaded hundreds of fighters.”

The Taliban have made no comment about Amrullah’s death. Amrullah had served as an officer at the National Directorate of Security during Burhanuddin Rabbani’s regime. He joined the Taliban eight years ago.

sa/ma