TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban key commander Mir Wali is among eight militants who were killed in Darqad district of Afghan northern Takhar province on Sunday, as cleanup operation continues in the restive district, police spokesman in the province, Abdul Khalil Asir said.

"The security forces in crackdown against Taliban rebels attacked several villages including Basir Khil, the stronghold of Taliban in Darqad district, and killed eight insurgents including Taliban notorious commander Mir Wali and his lieutenant Qari Sefat on Sunday morning," Asir told Xinhua.

More than a dozen militants sustained injuries in the ongoing operations which started on Thursday, the official said.

Mir Wali had served as a military commander of the Taliban group in the northern Takhar province and his physical elimination could serve as a major blow to the insurgent group, the official said.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment.