18 Taliban militants have been killed during ground and air operation in Rashidan, Deh Yak and Qarabagh districts of the province, Pajhwok Afghan News On February 26. Provincial Governor’s spokesman, Mohammad Arif Noori, told the news agency that Afghan and US forces launched an operation in of the province on February 25 night. He said 18 Taliban fighters were killed and four others were arrested during the offensive. A Taliban’s in charge for collecting taxes, Haji Matin and a key commander of the group, Faroqi were among those killed in the battle, Noori said.