1st LD Writethru: 3 killed including Taliban key commander in N. Afghan Kunduz province

A Taliban key commander in the northern Kunduz province Mullah Asmatullah along with two of his bodyguards was killed Monday morning, police said.

"Acting upon intelligence report, Afghan and NATO-led Resolute Support mission launched a special operation from the ground and air in Hazrat-e-Sultan locality outside provincial capital Kunduz city early on Monday killing him and two of his bodyguards on the spot," a police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The official didn't provide more details.

Meanwhile, an army spokesman in the province, Abdul Khalil, in talks with media reporters confirmed Mullah Asmatullah's death and said his hideout was attacked during joint operations of Afghan and foreign coalition forces at 01:00 a.m. local time Monday, during which Asmatullah along with two more armed militants were killed and huge quantity of arms and ammunitions including several suicide vests were destroyed.

According to the official, the infamous Mullah Asmatullah was a key Taliban commander who organized suicide attacks, roadside bombing and kidnapping government employees to terrorize people.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Kunduz province haven't commented. Enditem