KABUL, Afghanistan – Mullah Zergay, the top Taliban commander for the Kandahar City area, was killed by Afghan-international forces in an operation in Zharay district last week.
Zergay directed insurgent activities in the Arghandab and Zharay districts, including Kandahar City. He used explosives in nearly all of his operations and was directly responsible for multiple deaths in Kandahar city alone. He rose to power through violent intimidation campaigns against civilians and by leading kidnappings and executions of government employees and village elders.
After tracking his location for several weeks, an Afghan-international security force moved to capture Zergay in a Taliban safe haven area south of Kudeza'i in Zharay district. As the assault force approached, several armed insurgents fired on the approaching coalition forces with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The assault force returned fire, and during the ensuing firefight Zergay and several members of his security detachment were killed.
Zergay's death is considered to be a major loss for the Taliban leadership in southern Afghanistan.