MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10 militants including a Taliban key commander, Mawlawi Nasratullah, have been killed in the northern Faryab province, an army spokesman in the northern region, Ghulam Hazrat Karimi said Sunday.

"The security forces, acting upon intelligence report, attacked a Taliban gathering in Dawlat Abad district in the wee hours of Sunday, killing 10 rebels including a notorious commander, Mawlawi Nasratullah, on the spot," Karimi told Xinhua.

According to the official, 15 more insurgents have been arrested in the ongoing operations.

Mawlawi Nasratullah, according to the official, was an important Taliban commander in Faryab province and his physical elimination could prove to be a major setback to the insurgents in the restive Faryab and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants haven't commented yet.