HERAT, Oct 22: Fierce fighting broke out between rival factions in a contested area of western Afghanistan on Sunday, leaving 32 people dead and many more wounded, a provincial police chief said.

The fighting in the western province of Herat erupted when a well-known commander, Amanullah Khan, entered an area controlled by a rival commander, police chief Basir Salangi said.

The rival force, led by the lesser-known Arbab Basir, attacked Khan’s convoy.

Private broadcaster Tolo television reported that Khan was among the dead, but Salangi could not confirm this.

“This afternoon two local commanders fought each other for hours and at least 32 people from both parties have been killed,” Salangi said.

The fighting erupted in Shindand district, 120 kilometres south of Herat city.

Witnesses said the Nato-led force that is helping to stabilise volatile Afghanistan had deployed troops and helicopters to the area to try to control the situation. Afghan soldiers were also on the ground, they said.

Salangi said several people were wounded, but it was unclear how many.

Khan has long been at the centre of factional fighting in Herat, much of it over control of Shindand.—AFP