Taliban leader in Kandahar killed in raid

The top Taliban commander in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has been killed, NATO-led forces said Friday.

Mullah Zergay directed insurgent activities in two districts of Kandahar province, including the city of Kandahar, said a statement from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). He was killed in a raid last week in Zhari district.

Afghan and international troops had been tracking Zergay's location for several weeks and raided a Taliban safe haven May 28 to capture him. Zergay and several members of his security detail were killed in the ensuing fight, ISAF said.

The early-morning raid included air support, said Sardar Mohammed Zazai, the chief of police in Kandahar province. He said seven Taliban members were killed in addition to Zergay.

Zergay was characterized by ISAF as a man who "rose to power through violent intimidation campaigns against civilians and by leading kidnappings and executions of government employees and village elders."

His death was a "major loss for the Taliban" in southern Afghanistan, ISAF said.