Infighting leaves 18 Taliban dead in W. Afghanistan

At least 18 Taliban militants have been killed as a clash erupted between supporters of Taliban new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and his opponents in Shindand district of the western Herat province 640 km west of Kabul since Tuesday, a local television channel reported Wednesday.

"A clash erupted between supporters of Taliban new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and his opponents loyal to the former Taliban leader Mullah Omar in Akal village of Shindand district on Tuesday and so far 18 people from both sides have been killed and 10 others injured," Tolo said in its news bulletin.

The clash between the two sides is still going on, citing local officials, the television added.

Taliban outfit has yet to make any comments.

This is the third time over the past week that local media has reported occurrence of infighting among Taliban militants.

Following the confirmation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in late July, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor declared himself as Amirul Momenin or supreme leader of the hardline militants.

However, Mullah Omar's elder son Mullah Yaqub has challenged Mansoor's leadership as illegal and warned him to step down or face the danger of infighting.

In a similar incident a Taliban fighter opened fire and killed 11 of his fellow insurgents in Imam Sahib district of the northern Kunduz province on Tuesday, police said. Endi