Taliban key commander among 4 killed in Afghanistan

Four militants including Taliban key commander Mullah Manan have been confirmed dead in Afghanistan's western Herat province, provincial government spokesman Jilani Farhad said Saturday.

According to the official, Mullah Manan and his men were preparing to target security forces in Gulran district but the government forces in preemptive operation struck his base early Saturday killing him and three of his armed men on the spot.

Mullah Manan, according to the official, was responsible for organizing subversive activities in Herat and adjoining provinces.

Taliban militants have not commented.