Notorious commander among 5 rebels eliminated

PUL-I-ALAM/LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): A Taliban commander was among five insurgents killed while two other insurgent leaders were detainedin separate incidents, officials said on Thursday.

Salim Saleh, the Logar governor spokesman,told Pajhwok Afghan News a clash erupted between security forces and the Taliban inthe Surkhab area of Mohammad Agha district on Wednesday night.

He said a senior Taliban commander, Mullah Soor Gul, and three of his associates were killed in the firefight.“The insurgents hiding in a home refused to surrender and insteadopened fire on security forces.”

The rebels were killed in the ensuing gunbattle, Saleh said, addingfour weapons were recovered from the militants by security forces.

A resident of the area, Gulzar, said the clash erupted at around 1:00pm.“Mullah Soor Gul was a notorious Taliban commander. The bodies of the rebels are still lyingin the home they were hiding in.”

Mohammad Agha districtis situated 30 kilometres from Kabul to the north of Pul-i-Alam, the Logar capital, and is considered one of the secure areas.

Elsewhere, a Taliban insurgent was killed and fourothers were detained by the spy servicein southern Helmand province.

A statement from the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said intelligence personnel detained two commanders Mullah Khaista and Maulvi Haqyar along with two others.

It said a fifth fighter was killed. Two AK 47 rifles, one RPKM and a Corolla car were recovered from the insurgents.There has been no word so far from insurgents regarding either incident.

sns/mud