11 killed including Taliban commander in N. Afghanistan

SARI PUL -- Eleven militants including a Taliban commander, Mullah Khalid, have been confirmed dead as clashes erupted in Sancharak district of the northern Sari Pul province on Monday, provincial police spokesman Noor Agha Faizi said Tuesday.

The clashes, according to the official, erupted in Masjid-e-Sabz area of the restive district on Monday morning, lasting for a while, and the insurgents fled away after leaving 11 bodies behind including commander Khalid.

Describing Khalid as notorious, the official asserted that the death of Khalid could prove to be a major setback to the insurgents in Sari Pul and its vicinity.

Seven more militants were injured, the official added.

Without hinting at the possible casualties of security personnel, Faizi said that police in conjunction with army would do their best to stabilize security in each corner of Sari Pul province.

The Taliban outfit has yet to make comments.