Two Taliban Commanders Killed

(Kabul, Afghanistan) In an anti-terrorism sweep conducted by the Afghan National Army (ANA) and US-led coalition forces in the southern Zabul Province, two Taliban commanders were gunned down. Mullah Bashir and Hayatullah Akhunzada were Taliban leaders in the Khak-i-Afghan and Shah Joi Districts. Twelve other terrorists were killed and 17 were arrested. A hideout was also destroyed.

Other developments:

- In Kunar Province, a terrorist leader, Maulvi Noor Muhammad, and his supporters surrendered to government authorities.

- In Kandahar, a search operation by provincial authorities found at least 25 remote-controlled bombs.

- In eastern Nangarhar province, police found kidnapped journalist Ezatullah Zawab alive but unconscious. Zawab disappeared after publishing an article critical of Afghan clerics.

It's expected that the Taliban will be significantly weakened in the Zabul Province with two of its leaders eliminated.