KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): The governor of Kunduz province says 15 Taliban militants including a senior figure have been killed and 20 others wounded in new operations.

Governor Eng. Muhammad Omar told a news conference on Thursday the fighters were eliminated in fresh crackdowns by government forces.

During an operation in Qala-i-Zal district on Wednesday, Taliban commander and their governor for Kunduz Mullah Abdul Salam was killed.

But a man, introducing himself as Mullah Salam, poured scorn over the gubernatorial assertion. He told Pajhwok Afghan News reports of his death were propaganda. The commander vowed to continue fighting against government and coalition forces.

At the news conference, Omar said more Afghan National Army (ANA) troops had been sent to Qala-i-Zal district to clear it of insurgents.

District chief Moalim Nazir said eight Taliban were killed and five wounded in in Wednesday's operation that also left a policeman dead.

However, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed five policemen were killed in the fighting. He did not go into the details.

The governor added armed Taliban had killed 14 civilians including a teacher and a doctor over the last two weeks in Khanabad, Char Dara and the provincial capital.

But Mujahid denied Taliban had killed civilians. The governor viewed local tribal militiamen as civilians, he explained.

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