Several killed in Wardak operation: ISAF

MAIDAN SHAHR (PAN) said on Thursday.

The operation was conducted in Syedabad district late on Wednesday in search of a Taliban leader responsible for manufacturing roadside bombs and coordinating attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

“As the security force entered the area, they encountered several armed insurgents in a building. An exchange of small arms fire ensued, killing several insurgents,” a statement from the NATO-led force said.

During a subsequent search of the premises, the troops detained numerous suspected insurgents, and confiscated roadside bomb materials and weapons.

Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the governor, said Afghan and international forces jointly conducted the operation in the Yahyakhel village, killing three fighters and arresting six others.

But resident Anjir Gul alleged the foreign forces raided the house of a local cleric, Abdul Rahman, in the Mamokhel village, killing three of his family members.

Rahman’s brother Qari Mohammad Nasim and two of his teenage sons — Mohammad Qasim and Rahmatullah — were also killed in the raid.

According to him, Qari Nasim was a prayer leader in Jaghatu district of the province and had no links to insurgents. He had come to home to help his brother harvest wheat and barley crops, the resident said.

He said Abdul Rahman, 75, and Shirin Jan, 65, a local community shura head, were detained by the joint force.

 mbg/mud