KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Military operations for reopening key road linking Kandahar province to Uruzgan in south Afghanistan have been continuing over the past week as 45 Taliban militants including a shadowy provincial governor and a few local commanders have been killed since Sunday, police said Monday.
"Taliban shadowy governor for Kandahar province Mawlawi Hayatullah nicknamed Hajji Lala and his deputy Mawlawi Ahmad Shah Humat are among 45 Taliban rebels who have been killed in clash erupted on Sunday for the control of Kandahar-Uruzgan highway," Durani told Xinhua.
Mawlawi Hayatullah, according to the official, was a key Taliban leader in the southern region and his physical elimination could be a major blow to the Taliban fighters in Kandahar and neighboring provinces of Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan.
Taliban militants strengthened their position on the major road linking Kandahar to Uruzgan province and disrupted traffic movement. However, Afghan security forces launched offensive couple of days ago to reopen the essential highway.
"The Kandahar-Uruzgan highway would soon be reopened," Durani said.
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