PUL-I-KHUMRI (PAN fighters were killed during an operation in northern Baghlan province, officials said on Monday.
A Taliban commander named Haqqani was among those killed during the overnight operation by Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
The joint offensive was conducted in the Falol area of Burkah district, deputy police chief, Col. Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
The insurgent commander also known as Deewana (Crazy) was accused of conducting disruptive activities in Burkah, Baghlan-i-Markazi and Baghlan Jadid districts, he said.
Meanwhile, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed the joint offensive, which involved a precision airstrike. The operation was aimed to capture a Taliban leader, with links to most of senior rebel leaders in Kunduz, Baghlan and Takhar provinces.
A mud hut in the district was targetted after the force saw fighters moving into the suspected hideout. The hut was isolated and occupants asked to exit. As the men refused to answer a series of call-outs, the force initiated escalation of force procedures.
Subsequently, ISAF said in a statement, the security personnel moved to clear the hut and found the rebel group taking cover in an underground bunker. The militants engaged the force, prompting them to fall back and call for air support.
Coalition forces conducted a precision airstrike on the bunker, resulting in numerous insurgents killed, the ISAF statement added.
“Helicopters air-dropped foreign forces in the area at 9pm,” resident Mullah Hakimullah said. He saw dead bodies at the scene in the morning, he said.
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