Top Taliban district chief Mullah Bashir killed in fighting with security forces

Kabul: Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry says a Taliban shadow district chief was killed in fighting with security forces in eastern Wardak province. [caption id=“attachment_3764815” align=“alignleft” width=“300”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] According to a statement released on Saturday, Mullah Bashir, the Taliban-appointed governor of Nirkh district, was killed and two militants were wounded late on Friday night. In a separate statement, the ministry said at least 13 militants, including five Islamic State fighters, were killed after Afghan warplanes targeted their hideouts in eastern Paktika, northern Sar-e Pul and Jawzjan provinces. The attacks were carried out overnight, destroying some of the militants’ weapons and vehicles. The Taliban hasn’t commented on the fighting.