Taliban key commander among 8 killed in Afghanistan

Maymana (Afghanistan) : Eight militants including a Taliban key commander were killed in an operation by Afghan security forces in the country's Faryab province on Wednesday, officials said.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the security forces targeted a Taliban hideout in Qurghan district, killing eight rebels including Taliban key commander Qari Hamidullah and his deputy Mistary Mahmoud on the spot," Army spokesman Abdul Hadi Jamal told Xinhua news agency.

He said 12 others, including 10 militants and two security personnel were injured.

The operation began late on Tuesday night in Andkhoi and Qurghan districts and will continue until the area was cleared of the insurgents, the official said.

Taliban militants were yet to comment on the strike.