15 Taliban including key commander killed in Afghanistan

GHAZNI -- Gun battle between security forces and Taliban in Afghanistan's Ghazni province left 15 militants including a key commander dead on Sunday, a local official said.

"A group of armed Taliban rebels raided a police checkpoint in Jangul area of Abband district late Saturday night triggering fierce gun battle which lasted until Sunday morning during which 15 rebels including their key commander Mullah Alam were killed," district governor Allah Dad Halimi told Xinhua.

Five of those killed in the firefight were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Taliban, he contended.

Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid who claimed to speak for the Taliban outfit in talks with media via telephone from an unknown location confirmed the conflict, saying two  Taliban militants and six police were killed in the fighting.