23 Daesh militants killed in Haska Mena battles

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Officials in eastern Nangarhar province said 23 Daesh or Islamic State militants and two security men were killed during a direct engagement in the Haska Mena district on Monday.

Another four security men were wounded in the gun- battle that broke out about 1pm Gagra and Camp Paeen areas of the district Monday noon, the provincial government spokesman said.

Attaullah Khogyani told Pajhwok Afghan News that airstrikes were also carried out during the clash and two Daesh fighters were captured alive by police near the clash site. He said the dead militants included foreign fighters.

The official said two Afghan special forces personnel were killed and three commandos and one border policeman were wounded during the clash.

The Daesh group has so far said nothing about the clash that came a day after US airstrikes hit residential homes where Daesh militants were holed up, firing at the security forces, according to local officials and residents in Haska Mena.

Local officials said the drone strikes in Mariz Kandao area killed several Daesh militants including commanders who were attending a fateha service for a slain leader, but other sources said the strikes hit civilians attending fateha for a deceased tribal elder.

However, at least 10 civilians were killed and eight others wounded in the yesterday’s drone strike and clashes in Mianji Baba village.

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