Afghan troops kill 5 Taliban insurgents including shadowy governor

Security forces raided a Taliban position in the northwest Badghis province killing five militants including a shadowy provincial governor on Wednesday, spokesman for provincial administration said.

"The operation backed by NATO-led troops conducted early morning today as a result five Taliban rebels including Mohammad Ismael the shadow governor of Taliban in Badghis province were killed," Sharafudin Majidi told Xinhua.

The operation, he added took place in Balamirghab district.

Balamirghab district has been regarded as the hotbed of Taliban militants in Badghis province 330 km northwest of capital city Kabul.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.

Meantime, in a similar development, security forces detained six suspected Taliban militants elsewhere in Khost province east of Afghanistan on Wednesday, an army official Raz Mohammad Oryakhil said.

Source:Xinhua