The Canadian military says the Taliban's self-declared 'deputy governor of Kandahar' appears to have been killed in an air strike by international forces. They say Mullah Mahmoud was second-in-command in the shadow government that the Taliban have created to lead Kandahar if they ever regain power.The military made the announcement at a press conference with the actual government of Kandahar on Wednesday.
The coalition learned of a meeting of insurgent leaders from Afghan intelligence, and last week gunned down Mahmoud and eight of his companions during the meeting in Khakrez district. The militants were apparently meeting to discuss yet another planned attack on the Arghandab valley, the lush farming area just a stone's throw from Kandahar city.
The militants have been cleared out of the area twice before - including just last month after they declared themselves in control of a handful of riverside towns.
Kandahar Gov. Asadullah Khalid says the planned insurgent attack was foolish from the start. "That the Taliban would try to organize to attack Arghandab again shows how unwise their leaders are," Khalid said. "Those people who have sons or brothers who have been fooled into working for the Taliban should call them to come home now and return to a peaceful life."