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Taliban commander allegedly affiliated with IS killed in Afghanistan

Xinhua, February 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Taliban key commander allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group had been killed in Taliban former stronghold, the restive Helmand province on Monday, provincial police chief said.

"Taliban key commander in the southern region, Mullah Abdul Rauf, was killed as aircraft pounded their position in Azan area of Kajaki district at 9:00 a.m. local time today," Nabi Jan Mullahkhil told reporters here.

Five other militants had also been killed in the attack, including Rauf's brother-in-law and four insurgents from Pakistan' s lawless tribal areas, Mullahkhil said.

Mullah Rauf's elimination, according to the official, is a major setback to Taliban militants in Helmand and the adjoining Kandahar, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.

The official did not provide more details. However, locals said that Mullah Abdul Rauf, alias Mullah Khadim, was killed in a drone attack when his car was targeted in Kajaki district on Monday morning.

Taliban militants have yet to make any comments on the report.

Meanwhile, citing the national directorate for security, local media reported that Mullah Khadim affiliated with IS had been killed in Kajaki district of Helmand province on Monday. Endi