KABUL – The shadow governor of the Taliban group for the northern Faryabprovince has been killed during the operations of the Afghan nationaldefense and security forces.

According to the local security officials, Zabi Ghazi was among at leasttweleve militants killed during the operations in Sherin Tagab district.

A spokesman for the provincial security commandment Abdul Karim Yurishconfirmed the killing of Zabih Ghazi.

Yurish further added that a number of Taliban insurgents were also woundedduring the operations but did not elaborate further regarding the exactnumber.

In the meantime, Yurish said the Afghan forces have also confiscated someweapons and ammunition during the operation.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgentshave not commented regarding the report so far.

Faryab is among the relatively volatile provinces in northern parts of thecountry where the anti-government armed militant groups are activelyoperating in a number of its districts and often carry out insurgencyactivities.

At least eight militants were killed during the clashes with the Afghanforces in this province in mid-February.

The clashes broke out between the Afghan forces and the militants in thevicinity of Qaisar district.

According to the military officials in the North, at least five militantswere also wounded and nine others were wounded during the clashes.