Two prominent Taliban figures were killed in Balkh and Takhar

The Interior Ministry says a Taliban insurgent was killed in the Rustaq district of Takhar and a senior Taliban commander was killed in Balkh.

A ministry statement said Maulvi Baryali, a prominent Taliban commander, was killed along with three of his entourage in Balkh province.

He was instrumental in organizing terrorist attacks against civilians and security forces in the northern provinces, and was one of the top four Taliban commanders, the statement added.

The ministry also said in a statement that the Taliban-designated district governor for Rustaq district in Takhar had been killed.

According to the statement, the defense, security and civilian forces repulsed the Taliban attack on Rustaq district of Takhar, as a result of which 5 Taliban fighters, including Abu Yusuf, the Taliban district governor for Rustaq district, were killed and 3 fighters of this group were wounded.

The Taliban have not yet commented.