Taliban key commander killed in S Afghanistan

QALAT, Afghanistan - Security forces raided and killed a Taliban key commander Mullah Nabi Akhundzada in the southern Zabul province, 340 km south of Kabul in the wee hours of Thursday, provincial administration spokesman Sharifullah Nasiri said.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the security forces raided a house in Shajoi district very early Thursday morning, killing Taliban key commander Mullah Nabi Akhundzada along with two of his bodyguards on the spot," Nasiri told Xinhua.

Akhundzada, according to the official, was a notorious Taliban commander in Zabul and adjoining areas and his dead is a major blow to the Taliban fighters in the province.

Taliban militants who have been fighting the government and NATO-led troops are yet to comment.