Senior Haqqani leader among 5 killed in Paktia

KABUL said on Tuesday.

The Afghan-led security force came under attack by several armed insurgents shortly after arriving at the targeted compounds, the alliance said in a statement. The force responded and killed several insurgents, including a Taliban leader and prolific bomb expert known as Yasin, it said.

Yasin constructed and facilitated explosive weapon systems throughout the province, and was the preeminent source of roadside bomb attacks in Zurmat and Gardez districts, it said.

After the engagement, the force discovered and destroyed a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with three warheads, several grenades, a machinegun, multiple AK-47 rifles and numerous rounds of ammunition.

The force also detained several individuals for suspected involvement with the deceased insurgents. 

The district chief, Gulab Shah, said the operation was carried out late on Monday night in Janakhel village of the Momozai area.  He said five militants were killed and four others were arrested during the offensive.

Elsewhere, a joint Afghan-international security force detained several suspected insurgents during an overnight operation in Archi district of northern Kunduz province on Monday, NATO said.

The target of the search was a Taliban leader responsible for planning and conducting suicide attacks against Afghan government officials within the district, the alliance said in a statement.

NATO’s International Security Assistance Force on Tuesday confirmed the capture of a Taliban leader in Archi district a week ago. The leader was the Taliban appointed governing official for the district.

In southeastern Paktika province, a combined Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and detained a third in Mota Khan district.

pr/ma/at

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