Afghan forces kill 75 militants, Taliban key commander detained

Afghan forces during heavy operations against Taliban militants in Faryab province have left 75 militants dead and injured around 100 others over the past three days, provincial governor said Tuesday.
"A total of 75 Taliban rebels including foreigners have been killed and some 100 others sustained injuries during cleanup operations launched in Qaisar and Ghormach districts three days ago," Faryab's Provincial Governor Mohammad Allah Batash told reporters.
Foreign insurgents from Pakistan and Uzbekistan are also among those killed during the operations, the official contended.
He also admitted that five Afghan police had been killed and eight others injured during the past three days operations.
Batash also added that clashes are still going on, warning Qaisar and Ghormach districts would collapse if the government fails to take necessary actions against Taliban militants operating there.
In a related incident, security forces raided Taliban hideouts and captured three militants including a key commander, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here Tuesday.
"Police during special operations against Taliban militants in Rustaq district of Takhar province on Tuesday arrested Taliban key commander Mawlawi Abdul Rahman alias Palang (Tiger) along with two others," the statement added.
Palang was a notorious Taliban commander and had served as chief of the military commission of the Taliban outfit in Takhar province.
His arrest is a major blow to the Taliban fighters in Takhar and adjoining provinces, according to the statement.
Taliban outfit which has intensified activities since May this year has yet to make comment.