Taliban leader killed in northern Afghan town

Afghan and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) raided a Taliban hideout in Kunduz province 250 km north of Afghan capital Kabul and killed a local Taliban leader on Wednesday, the alliance said in a statement released here on Thursday. "An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban leader, Abdul Qahar, and one other insurgent during an operation in Qal'ah-ye Zal district, Kunduz province, yesterday," the statement contended. Abdul Qahar was responsible for the coordination of attacks against coalition forces and the planning, and acquisition of weapons, the statement said, adding the security force conducted a precision strike, killing him and the other insurgent. Taliban militants have yet to make comment.