Local Taliban key commander arrested in N. Afghanistan

Afghan policeman

TALUQAN, Afghanistan, June 14 (Xinhua) -- A key Taliban divisional commander has been arrested in Afghanistan's northern province of Takhar, as fighting rages in the country, a local government spokesman confirmed on Monday.

"Rohullah Rohani and one of his protectors have been arrested following an operative task conducted by personnel National Directorate of Security (NDS), or national intelligence agency in Yangi Qala district in Takhar," spokesman Hamid Mubariz told Xinhua.

The province has been the scene of heavy clashes recently.

The Taliban militant group has not responded to the report so far.

The report came as Taliban militants have attacked security forces and captured several suburban districts across Afghanistan in recent weeks.

In neighboring Kunduz province, Afghan national security forces launched a counter-attack early Monday and evict militants from Khan Abad district which was captured by Taliban militants over the weekend, local officials confirmed.