Taliban commander among six killed in Afghanistan

Six militants, including key Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Rauf, were killed in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province Monday.

"Six militants, including the key Taliban commander in the southern region, Mullah Abdul Rauf, were killed as aircraft pounded their position in Azan area of Kajaki district at 9 a.m. today," Xinhua quoted provincial police chief Nabi Jan Mullahkhil as telling reporters here.

Those killed in the attack also include Rauf's brother-in-law and four insurgents from Pakistan's Waziristan tribal area, said the official.

Rauf's killing, according to the official, is a major setback to Taliban militants in Helmand and the adjoining Kandahar, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.