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Roundup: 18 militants killed as infighting among Afghan Taliban militants flares up

Xinhua, September 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

Up to 18 Taliban militants have been killed as a clash erupted between supporters and opponents of Taliban new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor in Shindand district of the western Herat province on Tuesday, local media 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 television channel said in its news bulletin.

The Taliban outfit has not commented.

This is the third time over the past one week that local media has reported the 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 hardliner militants.

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

Mullah Omar's younger brother Mullah Abdul Manan Ziazi, according to media reports has also warned that his supporters would take Mansoor out of the post of Taliban leadership if the latter does not step down.

Amid widening cracks in the outfit, the Afghan intelligence agency -- National Directorate for Security (NDS) reported arresting a Taliban key commander Qari Salahudin Ayubi on Wednesday.

"Qari Salahudin Ayubi, a key commander of Taliban outfit in northern provinces of Afghanistan and the shadowy governor of Faryab province was arrested last night in the western Herat province," the statement said.

Qari Ayubi was going to the southern Kandahar province onward to Quetta city of Pakistan when security personnel identified and captured him, the statement said.

Capturing Qari Ayubi is a major setback to the Taliban militants, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, a clash between government forces and the Taliban in Khawjaghar district of the northern Takhar province claimed five lives including three insurgents and two police personnel on Wednesday. Endi