South Asia News

Bomb kills anti-Taliban commander in Afghanistan

Sep 10, 2011, 9:54 GMT

Kunduz, Afghanistan - A roadside bomb in northern Afghanistan on Saturday killed a local militia commander who had been heavily involved in anti-Taliban activities, an official said.

Commander Mohammad Akbar was on his way home when he stepped on a roadside bomb in the Khan Abad district of Kunduz province this morning, Sofi Habib, the district police chief said.

Akbar was a commander of local militia forces recently established by the Afghan government and coalition forces to fight with the Taliban and provide security in their own areas.

He was commander of 20 pro-government militiamen in the village of Aqtash, the police chief said. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group took responsibility for the bombing.

Recently, Afghan officials and pro-government figures have been repeatedly targeted by the militants.