Afghan forces kill 4 Taliban insurgents including commander

Gun battle between security forces and Taliban fighters left four militants including their commander dead in Wardak province 40 km west of Afghanistan capital Kabul, a local official said Saturday.

"Afghan police with the support of army raided Taliban hideout in Chak district Friday and the operation is still continuing, so far four Taliban rebels including their commander Mullah Abdul Wali have been killed," governor of Chak district Mohammad Ismael Wafa told Xinhua.

The operation will continue till the area is cleansed of the insurgents, he further said.

Chak has been regarded as Taliban stronghold in Wardak province over the past one year.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.

Taliban-linked activities killed one civilian and injured 29 others in the northern Balkh province on Friday; while the security forces, according to NATO-led forces press release, eliminated 30 Taliban militants in the eastern Laghman province on the same day Friday.

Source: Xinhua