Taliban leader among 12 killed in airstrike

LASHKARGAH/MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): At least 12 militants including a Taliban) airstrike in southern Helmand province, officials said on Thursday.

Police spokesman Shah Mahmoud Ashna told Pajhwok Afghan News Taliban’s chief for Marja district Mullah Yar Mohammad was killed along with 11 other militants in an the airstrike in Sistani area late on Wednesday.

He said the militants, who planned to attack security posts, were operating under the Salem Network. Clearing operations are underway in Greshk, Sangin and Musa Kala districts.

But a Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, said Afghan forces had suffered heavy casualties during Helmand operations. Ahmadi did not say anything about the Taliban district chief.

Elsewhere, four fighters were killed and two arrested in central Wardak province. The governor’s spokesman, Attaullah Khogyani, said the casualties came during operations in Chak and Syedabad districts.

mds/mud

Visits: 2