JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — A Taliban key commander MullahGhafar has been killed in Pachiragam district of the eastern Nangarharprovince, a statement of the provincial government said here Saturday.

The security forces launched a special operation Friday night in Pachiragamdistrict to capture Taliban’s notorious commander Mullah Ghafar alive buthe resisted and was killed in a cross fire, the statement added.

Describing Mullah Ghafar as a notorious commander and in charge ofrecruitment of fighters for the Taliban outfit, the statement said thatGhafar’s physical elimination could prove a major setback to the armedinsurgents in Nangarhar and its vicinity.

The Taliban group has yet to make comments.

Courtesy: Xinhua