AFGHANISTAN - Taliban commander killed during search operation

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP):

NATO disclosed yesterday that a Taliban commander was among several armed people killed during a search operation in Kandahar, but residents claimed the troops killed eight innocent civilians, including two elderly men.

In a statement, NATO report that coalition and Afghan troops went to a compound outside Kandahar city, where they immediately came under hostile fire. The troops returned fire in self-defence and killed several armed men, including Taliban commander, Shyster Uhstad Khan, who was involved in the purchase and distribution of roadside bombs, NATO said.

The coalition said the combined force also detained an individual who was suspected of having direct contact with senior Taliban leaders in Kabul and facilitated the delivery of explosive devices to the capital.

Residents describe the search operation differently in Kandahar, where Afghan and coalition forces are ramping up security in hopes of driving out insurgents, gaining the loyalty of residents, and bolstering the Afghan government's control of the Taliban stronghold.