Spokesman for Helmand’s governor, Mohammed Wali, told AIP that the government forces launched the swoop on Taleban’s commanders in Musakala district on Wednesday, which resulted in the killing of Mohammadullah and the arrest of an injured, Abdul Ghafaar.

 One soldier was also killed and four injured in the gunfight that lasted 40 minutes with the radical fighters, Wali said.

He said Mohammadullah had been wanted by the Afghan government in connection with various deadly attacks in the province.

Afghanistan’s eastern and southern regions have been the site of frequent violent attacks on the government, US forces and military installations by the Taleban and their Arab “guest fighters” of the Al Qaeda network since the ouster of the radicals from the power in late 2001.