Key Taliban commander, policeman killed

Kabul: A clash between Taliban militants and police claimed the lives of a key Taliban commander and a policeman in southern Afghanistan Thursday, an official said. Taliban militants commanded by Mullah Nasir raided a police checkpoint in Orgon district before dawn and police retaliated, Xinhua reported. "The firefight lasted for half an hour during which Mullah Nasir was killed and four more militants sustained injuries," an official said.

He also confirmed that a policeman was killed, another injured and a police van was damaged in the fight. The official said the death of Mullah Nasir was a major setback to the Taliban in Paktika province and adjoining areas.