NATO airstrike kills 9 insurgents in Paktia

BAGRAM AIRFIELD (PAN troops during an operation in the Zazai Aryub district of southeastern Paktia province, the alliance said on Wednesday.

A statement from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed that the nine militants were killed and their remains handed over to local authorities. The exact date of the strike was not mentioned.
“The insurgents were armed and were observed by partnered forces emplanting an improvised explosive device. They engaged NATO forces with direct fire,” the statement added.

“ANSF and NATO Forces responded, killing all observed hostile suspects. No ANSF or ISAF forces were harmed in the operation,” added the statement.
The engagement was part of a larger operation launched by ANSF two days ago to destroy Taliban hideouts in the district, said Azad Khan, the town’s administrative head. He added the operation would continue until the area was cleared of Taliban.

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