Two Taliban Commanders Killed

(Kandahar, Afghanistan) Two Taliban commanders were among 11 enemy killed by Afghan police during fighting in the Panjwai District about 20 miles west of Kandahar. According to Mohammad Daoud Ahmadi, spokesman for the Kandahar provincial governor, the battle was a big victory even though five policemen were killed.

From Reuters:

Ahmadi said among the 11 Taliban killed was a provincial-level commander, Mullah Abdul Baqi, and a district-level commander, Mullah Abdul Manan.

Manan was responsible for a spate of attacks, including suicide bomb blasts, rocket attacks and the burning of several schools, Ahmadi said.

The Taliban reportedly took eight bodies with them when they fled, leaving three stinking carcasses. The fighting, lasting for four hours, started after Afghan police received a tip that Taliban were in the area. A patrol was then sent to attack. Notably, only Afghan policemen were engaged in the operation. Although it was a minor skirmish, I think it indicates that Afghan forces are capable of imposing government control over the countryside.