Afghanistan: Key Taliban commander among 6 militants killed in anti-terrorism operation

Six Taliban terrorists, including a key commander of the group, were killed in an anti-terrorism operation carried out by Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) in Balkh province on Thursday.

"Afghan National Defense and Security Forces launched the anti-terrorism raid in surrounding areas of Balkh district, Balkh province. The security forces received hostile fire from the militants. Six Taliban terrorists were killed in the return fire by the security forces," Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement.

The key Taliban commander who was killed in the operation has been identified as Mullah Shader.

"A Taliban outfit member named Mohammad Sarwar was arrested and eight villages were cleared of the militants during the raid," the statement added.

The security forces also destroyed vehicles belonging to the militants, reported Xinhua.

The relatively peaceful Balkh province has been witnessing scenes of clashes between security forces and Taliban militants since early this year.

The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have beefed up operations against anti-establishment armed militants who have carried out terror activities across Afghanistan.

So far, the Taliban has not released any statement regarding the operation.