Local sources told TOLOnews on Wednesday night that “Mullah Nangyalai, a top commander of the Taliban’s splinter faction, led by Mullah Rassoul, has been killed with several others.”

The incident took place on Wednesday about 4:00 pm local time in the center of Shindand after “four foreign drones targeted several houses,” according to an eyewitness.

The airstrike took place in an area that is under the control of the government, said Nasir Ahmad Salehi, TOLOnews reporter.

“At least 40 civilians, including women and children” were also among the dead,” said local sources, adding that “about 30 or 35 Taliban were also killed in the airstrikes.”

Local government officials have not yet commented on the airstrike yet.

“One killed and ten others were wounded in an airstrike and have been taken to Herat’s regional hospital,” according to health officials.

"USFOR-A spokesman": US Forces-Afghanistan, at the request of Afghan Security Forces, conducted a coordinated defensive air strike in support of Afghan forces in Shindand, Herat on Jan. 8, 2020.

The Afghan Ministry of Defense in a statement said Afghan security forces launched special operations in Shindand and “reached their goal,” referring to military action on Wednesday. “We will investigate the reports over civilian casualties.”

This is a developing story.