Security Developments In Afghanistan, Feb 16

A roadside bomb killed three employees of a construction firm on Monday in eastern Kunar, the interior ministry said.

Following are security developments in Afghanistan reported until 1340 GMT on Monday:

BADGHIS - U.S.-led troops killed a wanted Taliban commander Mullah Dastagir and eight of his loyalists in an air strike in southwestern Badghis province, U.S. and Afghan officials said on Monday.

Dastagir was behind a series of attacks in Badghis, including an ambush in which 13 Afghan soldiers were killed last November, they added.

HELMAND - Afghan army killed seven Taliban insurgents in an operation in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said same day.

*KANDAHAR - In neighbouring Kandahar, five civilians died on Monday when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle, the interior ministry said.

KUNAR - A similar device killed three employees of a construction firm on Monday in eastern Kunar, the ministry separately earlier said, adding three more workers of the company were wounded.

PAKTIKA - A rocket hit a base of NATO-led force in southeastern Paktika province, killing one soldier of the alliance on Monday, an official for the force said.

Reuters could not immediately reach the Taliban for comment about any of the reported incidents. (Reporting by Sayed Salahuddin; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)