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1st LD: Taliban shadow governor killed in northern Afghan airstrike

Xinhua, April 19, 2017 Adjust font size:

A Taliban shadow governor was killed together with six other militants after Afghan air force struck a militant hideout in the northern province of Baghlan overnight, provincial governor said Wednesday.

"Based on a tip-off, the army's warplanes carried a series of raids in Dand-e-Ghuri District late Tuesday night. As a result, Maulawi Helel, Taliban shadow governor for Baghlan, was killed along with six of his comrades," Governor Abdul Hai Nahimi told Xinhua.

The security forces have conducted a follow-up operation in the area and further details will be released later, the official added.

Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer, known as fighting season, are drawing near in the Central Asian country.

The Taliban has reportedly confirmed the loss of its local leader Helel in the province 160 km north of Kabul, according to local media reports. Endit