7 Taliban fighters including key commander killed in south Afghanistan

Seven Taliban militants including a key commander Mullah Abdul Qadir were killed in the southern Zabul province on Saturday, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here. "Acting upon intelligence report, the units of police raided Taliban hideout in Dalai village of Shamalzai district early Saturday morning killing seven rebels including a key commander Mullah Abdul Qadir," the statement said. It didn't say if there were any casualties on the police personnel. Mullah Qadir, according to the locals was a notorious commander and his elimination could be a major setback to the Taliban militants in Zabul and adjoining areas. A former stronghold of Taliban, the Zabul province with Qalat as its capital 340 km south of Kabul has been the scene of militancy over the past couple of years.