KABUL – The Taliban designated governor for the northern Afghan province ofSamangan was killed in an airstrike on Sunday, the Afghan Defense Ministrysaid.

“Mullah Nooruddin, the nominated governor of Taliban for Samangan, waskilled in an airstrike in Tucson village of Dara-e-Souf Payne district thismorning,” the ministry said in a statement.

No civilian casualties were reported as only the vehicle carrying Nooruddinhad been targeted, a source said.

Taliban, however, deny the governor’s death, claiming that he is alive.