KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) – NATO forces say they have killed a top Taliban commander for southern Afghanistan’s largest city.

A coalition statement Friday said Afghan and NATO troops killed Mullah Zergay in Zhari district last week. NATO says Zergay conducted anti-government strikes in Argandab and Zhari districts, including Kandahar City.

The statement says Zergay was “the top Taliban commander” for the area. However, he was generally seen by residents as part of a group overseeing Taliban operations in and around Kandahar City. He was known for bomb attacks and NATO says he was “directly responsible for multiple deaths in Kandahar City alone.”

NATO says he was killed when a raid to capture him sparked a firefight. Guards also were killed.
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