Taliban key commander Mullah Mir Ahmad along with three others was killed in the western Herat province on Saturday, Border Police Force commander in Herat province Mohammad Adil said.

"Acting upon intelligence report, the security forces laid ambush on the way used by Taliban key commander Mullah Mir Ahmad in Ghorian district early Saturday killing him along with three of his comrades,"Adil told Xinhua.

Mullah Mir Ahmad who was often accompanied by 150 armed militants was commander of 400 militants in west Afghanistan, the official said, adding his death would prove a major setback to Taliban militants in Herat and adjoining provinces.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.