By Xinhua,
Kabul : The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have killed a Taliban commander Mullah Ziauddin during an operation in southern Afghan province of Helmand, said an ISAF statement released here on Tuesday.
Mullah Ziauddin, who was involved in the procurement, construction and emplacement of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device),died as a result of injuries which occurred during a strike against him by ISAF in an area to the south of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand on Oct. 29, the statement said.
“Ziauddin is believed to be associated with the group responsible for the kidnapping of 160 Afghan engineers and laborers in Helmand province in September,” it said. “This successful operation follows the capture of another suspected Taliban commander, Mullah Mashar, in the same area.”
ISAF spokesman, Brigadier-General Richard Blanchette, believes that Ziauddin’s death will have a significant effect on Taliban’s ability to conduct operations in Helmand province and their intimidation campaign in Musa Qala.
Spiraling conflicts and Taliban-linked insurgency have claimed around 5,000 people so far this year in strife-torn Afghanistan while Taliban insurgents have vowed to intensify assaults against interests of Afghan government and international troops before the coming winter.