KABUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) targeted and killed a high-level Taliban commander Mullah Sheikh and two of his followers in the vicinity of Musa Qala in Afghan southern Helmand province early Sunday morning, said an ISAF statement.

　　Mullah Sheikh and his followers are responsible for facilitating and directing frequent attacks against the Afghan people, Afghan National Security Force and ISAF forces in and around Helmand province, particular the Musa Qala district, the statement said.

　　"We have removed yet another Taliban enemy leader who will no longer threaten the peace and security of Afghanistan," said British Royal Navy Captain Mike Finney, ISAF spokesperson, "The death of Mullah Sheikh will further degrade the Taliban's ability to conduct operations in and around Helmand."

　　A total of 70,000 multi-national troops are deployed across Afghanistan under the flags of the NATO-led ISAF and the U.S.-led Coalition forces respectively for maintaining stability and helping in reconstruction.

　　Militancy and conflicts have claimed the lives of more than 2,300 people with over 700 civilians killed across the war-torn country this year.