Sixty Taliban Reported Killed In Air Strikes

An ISAF soldier in Kandahar (file photo) (epa) May 15, 2007 -- Afghan police say air strikes by NATO-led forces killed 60 Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar Province overnight.

Provincial police chief Esmatullah Alizai said the strikes targeted at least one gathering of Taliban fighters in the province late May 14.


NATO's International Security Assistance Force said it had no immediate information about such a strike.


The area around the town of Zahri, east of Kandahar city, has been a flashpoint for Taliban violence.


Separately today, a purported Taliban spokesman said that slain Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah has been replaced by his younger brother. The spokesman said that Mullah Bakht Mohammad is taking over Dadullah's leadership role.


Dadullah, the Taliban's top operational commander in Afghanistan, was found dead on May 12 in Helmand Province after a battle with U.S., NATO, and Afghan government troops.


(AFP, Reuters, AP)

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report

RFE/RL Afghanistan Report


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