Afghan forces kill Taliban key commander

Afghan security forces backed by the NATO-led troops targeted and killed a Taliban key commander Safiullah alias Shafiq in Wardak province 35 km west of Kabul on Sunday, spokesman for provincial administration Ataullah Khogyani said. "Acting upon intelligence report, the personnel of national security forces backed by the NATO-led forces raided a house in Masoomkhil village of Nurkh district and killed Taliban commander Safiullah alias Shafiq at 10:00 a.m. local time today," Khogyani told Xinhua. There were no casualties on civilians, the official said, adding that Shafiq was killed alone in the operations. The elimination of Shafiq is a major setback to the Taliban militants in Wardak province, he said. Taliban militants fighting the government and NATO-led forces are yet to make comment.