Anti-Taliban militia leader killed in Ghazni

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Insurgents shot dead a pro-government tribal militia leader in the Andar district of southern Ghazni province, an official said on Sunday.

Taj Mohammad and his companion were gunned down on Saturday night in the Paindakhel village, where Mohammad spearheaded the anti-Taliban group, the district chief said.

Mohammad Qasim Desiwal said the attackers had also suffered casualties, but he had no exact figures.

He said Taj Mohammad was one of the individuals who had first revolted against the rebels in the Andar town.

In a separate incident in the same district, a 15-year-old boy was killed when a mortar shell hit a house on Saturday night, confirmed Desiwal, who blamed it on the Taliban.

The Taliban did not comment on the boy’s death, but their spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid accepted responsibility for killing Taj Mohammad and his colleague.

In northern Kunduz province, four militants and two local police men, including a commander, were killed during a clash in the Imam Sahib district as militants stormed their post in the Joi Bigam area on Saturday night.

The district chief said six assailants suffered injuries during the firefight, identifying the slain ALP commander as Gul Murad.

Amanuddin Quraishi said a third ALP member was killed in a separate clash with militants in Mulla Afghan area of the Imam Sahib district.

Taliban spokesman Mujahid claimed they had captured Ishan, Toop and Mulla Afghan villages from the local police.

ma/mds

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