Local commander among 10 militants killed as Afghan gov't forces storm Taliban fighters

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two vehicles allegedly carrying militants loyal to the Taliban group have been targeted by Afghan government troops, leaving 10 insurgents including a local commander dead in the southern Ghazni province, provincial police said in a statement Saturday.

The attacks were conducted at 5:40 p.m. local time on Friday in the restive Qarabagh and neighboring Muqar districts, killing 10 militants including a local Taliban commander Mawlavi Sahar, the statement said.

The Taliban outfit has yet to make comment.

Both the Taliban group and government forces have stepped up operations against each other in the conflict-riddled country.