Daesh defeated at leadership level in Nangarhar: Mangal

JALALABAD (Pajhwok) The governor of eastern Nangarhar province on Tuesday claimed the Daesh or so-called Islamic State (IS) group has been defeated at leadership level in the province.

Two days back, NATO commander General John Nicholson said Daesh rebels were still fighting against Afghan forces in some areas of Nangarhar, Kunar and Jawzjan provinces.

However, Nangarhar Governor Gulab Mangal said IS militants operating in Nangarhar had been weakened and they had lost the ability to enter a face-to-face fight with Afghan security forces.

He said the group had been powerful in the province but they were destroyed during the year long crackdown by security forces.

He said no safe haven for Daesh left in Nangarhar to take refuge there. According to the governor, Daesh insurgents’ centers and hideouts have been completely destroyed in Kot, Pachiragam and Khogyani districts. He stressed the militants had been weakened at high-level.

Police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said about six districts had been purged of Daesh presence and clearing operation was still ongoing against them.

Various operations were conducted by joint forces with air support of foreign forces against Daesh in Achin, Kot, Haska Mena, Chaparhar, Pachiragam and Khogyani districts, driving them away.

mz/sa/ma