1st LD Writethru: Taliban key commander among dozens militants killed in E.Afghanistan

A Taliban key commander Shir Malang is among more than three dozen militants that have been killed in Afghanistan's eastern Kunar province, provincial governor Wahidullah Kalimzai said Tuesday.

"Taliban notorious commander Shir Malang is among more than 40 rebels have been killed in Kunar over the past 24 hours," governor Kalimzai told reporters here.

Addressing a press conference, he said the militants under Shir Malang launched series of coordinated offensives against security checkpoints in Dangam, Watapor and Sarkano districts as well as outside provincial capital Assadabad on Monday morning, but have fled away after suffering huge casualties including Shir Malang.

More than 40 militants have been killed, 12 others injured and two more have been captured alive, the official added.

However, he admitted that sporadic fighting has been continuing in parts of the said district.

The death of Shir Malang, according to the official, is a major setback to the Taliban militants in Kunar and adjoining Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces.

However, the official did not say if there were casualties on security personnel.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment on the situation. Endit