Daesh commander among 20 rebels held in Kandahar

KANDAHAR (Pajhwok): Security forces have arrested 20 armed militants including a Daesh commander during separate operations in the capital and districts of southern Kandahar province, the governor said on Saturday.

The detained individuals were paraded before media persons in Kandahar City, the provincial capital, in the presence of Governor Hayatullah Hayat and provincial intelligence chief Barkatullah Chamkani.

Governor Hayat said the detained persons wanted to carry out subversive activities during the holy month of Ramadan, but security forces arrested them and foiled their plans.

He said the detainees included a group which had been involved in targeted killings. The group targeted government officials and tribal elders, he added. A second group was detained during clashes with security forces in districts.

The detainees also included a commander of Daesh or so-called Islamic State group, the governor said. He said the Daesh commander, a resident of eastern Kunar province, spearheaded a group of 100 fighters. The detainees would be punished as per the law after their cases were investigated.

Kandahar intelligence chief Barkatullah Chamkani said the intelligence service officers were working day and night to frustrate terrorist activities. He said intelligence forces had previously arrested a large number of militants.

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