A minimum of 28 Taliban insurgents were killed due to infighting between factions of Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada and Mullah Rasul in Herat province in on Thursday, as confirmed by Herat governor’s spokesman Jailani Farhad to news sources.

It was informed that the infighting happened in Joi Qazi, Abdul Abad, Deh Mirza and Deh Aman villages of Shindand district in the province.

After hours of clashes, government forces were sent to the area and it was informed by Mr Farhad that, Maj. Mateen who is Operational Commander of the National Directorate of Security Unit in Herat, was killed when he was hit by a bullet during the clashes.

President Ghani on Friday released some statements on social media expressing that “strike in Helmand where friendly forces accidentally killed civilians is a tragic reminder that the war has gone for too long. 18 enemy combatants have also been killed but enemy uses human shield to place non-combatants in harms way and have repeated this tactic frequently.”

He clarified that “the most effective way to end civilian casualties is to prevent and end the Afghan conflict. We are committed to work towards that end.” This comes after the president unveiled a comprehensive peace plan at the recent Geneva Summit.

The President’s statement also added that “We have an obligation and a national policy to prevent civilian casualties. I have urged our brave security forces and international allies to mitigate civilian harm.”

Expressing condolences for the loved ones of those who lost their lives in Helmand, Ghani wrote “However, the war has cost immense treasure and life. And now entails urgent need for peace. I mourn the loss of innocent victims and offer my condolences to the bereaved families.”

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Friday accorded approval for gifting 40,000 metric tons of wheat to Afghanistan.

The ECC met for an emergency meet according to Pakistan news sources, and the meeting which was presided by Pakistan’s finance minister agreed to gift wheat worth Rs1.73 billion to Afghanistan.

Farah police chief’s office in a statement confirmed on Friday that 12 Taliban insurgents were killed in an airstrike in Takht-e-Rustam area in Farah City on Thursday.

The statement also informed that 3 of the 12 killed were Taliban commanders.