Kabul  - Afghan police arrested a senior Taliban commander in southern Afghanistan, while 15 other insurgents were killed in Afghan and NATO joint operation in the same region, officials said Sunday.

Taliban commander Mullah Abdul Jabar was arrested by police forces in southern Kandahar province on Saturday, the interior ministry said in statement.

It described Jabar as deputy commander for Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, another senior Taliban commander, who was arrested by Pakistan forces in February this year while crossing the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan.

Mansoor Dadullah succeeded his brother Mullah Dadullah, a feared Taliban commander who was killed in combat in southern Helmand province last year.

The Afghan army said Sunday its forces backed by NATO troops killed at least 15 suspected Taliban members in Zherai district of Kandahar province on Saturday during an operation that began in the area one week ago.

"Five terrorists were killed in Zareen Khail village of Zherai district, while 10 other terrorist were killed in Zafar Khail village of the district," the defence ministry said.

Southern Kandahar province, once the main stronghold of Taliban fugitive leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, has been the scene of heavy fighting since the ouster of Taliban regime six years ago.

More than 8,000 people have died in the conflict since then, mostly Taliban rebels but including civilians. (dpa)