Airstrikes kill 9 Taliban including key commander in Afghan northern province

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Nine Taliban militants including a key commander have been confirmed dead after aircrafts pounded Taliban hideouts in Qala-e-Zal district of Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province Sunday night, Interior Ministry said in a statement released here on Monday.

"Nine Taliban fighters including Mawlawi Dost Mohammad the shadow governor for Qala-e-Zal district were killed in air raids last night," said the statement.

It also noted that Dost Mohammad was a key commander of Taliban and his death could serve as a major blow to the insurgents in Kunduz province and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants who briefly captured Qala-e-Zal district on May 16 are yet to make comment.