Mawlawi Lal, the Taliban's shadow governor in Baghlan province, along with a number of fellow Taliban insurgents were killed in a night raid by Afghan and foreign forces in Dand-e-Ghori area of Pul-e-Khumre city, a source said.
 
According to the source, dozen of helicopters and U.S. aircraft participated in the night raid and the main aim of the raid was to target Taliban's key fighters in Baghlan.
 
The operation started at 11 p.m. on Tuesday night and continued until 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.
 
Government officials did not comment officially but residents said that the bodies of eight of Taliban's key members, including Mawlawi Lal, were seen in the area.
 
So far no exact figures on Taliban casualties have been released but a source from Baghlan provincial council said that more than 50 Taliban were killed in this raid.
 
Mawlawi Lal was the Taliban’s key commander for the north-eastern zone.
 
The source said that the operation was conducted while the Taliban was preparing for a big attack in which they hoped to over run Baghlan province.
 
Taliban issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon and confirmed the death of Mawlawi Lal.