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1st LD: Taliban key commander killed in Afghanistan's southern province

Xinhua, October 6, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Taliban key commander in former Taliban stronghold of the southern Helmand province has been killed, provincial governor Hayatullah Yahat said on Thursday.

"The notorious commander of Taliban rebels in Helmand province Sardar Mohammad alias Mullah Eqdam who was commanding Taliban fighters to capture Helmand has been killed," governor Hayat told Xinhua.

Mullah Eqdam, according to the official, was the mastermind of Taliban attacks on Helmand province over the past couple of years and his death would prove catastrophe to the armed insurgents fighting for the control of the poppy-growing Helmand in the troubled southern region.

"Mullah Eqdam was commanding some 500 fighters to capture Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah when he was killed in clash with government forces early Wednesday," another official told Xinhua but declined to be identified.

Taliban militants who are in control of some districts in Helmand province and have been fighting to overrun provincial capital Lashkar Gah, are yet to make comment on reported death of the commander. Endit