33 killed in Taliban infighting in Afghanistan

Kabul: At least 33 Taliban militants were killed in week-long infighting between the supporters and opponents of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor in Afghanistan.

The clashes occurred in Nawa district of the eastern Ghazni province, Xinhua quoted provincial police official as saying on Monday.

"The clash which erupted between supporters of Mullah Mansoor and his rival Mullah Mohammad Rasoul over the control of Nawa district have left a total of 33 people killed from both sides," he said.

"Rasoul`s supporters finally evicted Mansoor`s men from Nawa district on Sunday," the official said.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in contact with media rejected the report as baseless, saying there was no fighting among Taliban militants.

Taliban has ruled the mountainous Nawa district over the past few years.