Infighting among Taliban leaves 50 dead in Afghanistan

Kabul [Afghanistan] Oct 22 (ANI): A deadly fight between the two factions of Taliban in western Heart region of Afghanistan has left 50 insurgents dead, said local media reports on Sunday.

The Khaama Press quoted local officials in Herat as saying that the latest clashes took place between the supporters of Taliban supreme Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada and dissident Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Rasool.

Provincial governor's spokesman Jilani Farhad confirmed the news.

According to the Khaama Press, Farhad said militants under the command of Mullah Samad loyal to Mullah Hebatullah and Mullah Nangialai who is loyal to Mullah Rasool, clashed in Khaifan area of Shindand district.

As per Khaama Press, the anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far.

Clashes between the supporters of Mullah Hebatullah and Mulllah Rasool have not been rare but numerous such incidents have taken place in the past as well.

Mullah Rasool is a dissident Taliban leader who has been leading his own faction of the Taliban after the death of the group's founder and former supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

The supporters of Mullah Rasool have also clashed with the supporters of Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, the predecessor of Mullah Hebatullah.

In March 2016, at least 26 Taliban militants were killed in the infighting among Mullah Samad and Mullah Nangialai in western Herat province of Afghanistan. (ANI)