Over 60 key Taliban commanders killed in south: Govt

KABUL commanders have been killed in recent clashes with security forces in southern Helmand and Kandahar provinces, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) said on Sunday.

Taliban militants have intensified their attacks in the capital of Helmand and some nearby districts and in Arghandab, Zherai and Panjwai districts of Kandahar province since past two months.

A few days back, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) said that Afghan forces foiled Taliban’s attacks and plans to capture provincial capitals by killing hundreds of the insurgents during various operations.

MoI spokesman Tariq Aryan told a news conference on Sunday here that up to 20 key Taliban commanders were among dozens of militants killed in Helmand battles and around 40 important Taliban commanders were killed in Kandahar province.

Aryan said the fighters killed in operations belonged to Sadiq, Muntazira, Fazli and Shafiq networks. He also released lists of slain Taliban commanders.

At least nine Pakistani militants had also been killed in fighting in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, he added.

Mualvi Munir, Mullah and Abdul Latif are Taliban commanders killed in the two provinces, according to MoI.

With no Taliban spokesman available for comment, the MoI also shared the list of other slain Taliban commanders.

mds/ma

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