KABUL, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban key commander Qari Zabihullah is among 19 militants have been killed in the northern Kunduz province on Wednesday, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here.
"Security forces in crackdown against militants in Khan Abad and Chardara districts of Kunduz province on Wednesday have killed 19 rebels including notorious Taliban commander Qari Zabihullah," said the statement.
Qari Zabihullah, according to the statement, was a key Taliban commander who had organized subversive activities, roadside bombings and attacks on government forces across the embattled Kunduz province and his murder could be a major setback to the fighting militants.
Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the report.
However, locals said that the fighting erupted in Khan Abad and Chardara districts early morning is still going on.
