KABUL, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Internal differences within Taliban rank have further deepened as fresh fighting between supporters of Taliban leader Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada and his opponents in the western Herat province have claimed at least 20 lives over the past four days, a local official said Friday.
"Up to 20 militants from both sides have been killed in the infighting flared up on Tuesday," a spokesman for provincial administration Jilani Farhad told Xinhua.
The clash, according to the official, erupted between armed men of Mullah Samad, a commander loyal to Taliban leader Akhundzada and his rival commander Mullah Nangiali during which 15 more insurgents from both sides sustained injuries.
A loyalist to Taliban faction led by Mullah Rasoul Akhund, commander Mullah Nangiali has been challenging the rival faction in Shindand district and adjoining areas to expand his grip in the region.
Taliban militants haven't commented on the situation there in Shindand.
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