Afghan, US forces destroy Daesh stronghold in Nangarhar

KABUL (Pajhwok): US troops claim capturing the capital of Daesh, also known as Islamic State (IS), during a joint operation with Afghan forces in the Haska Mena district of eastern Nangarhar province.

A US military commander told media that key bases of the militant outfit were destroyed during the operation initiated two months ago. Huge casualties were also inflicted on the rebels.

About 167 IS members, including foreign militants, were killed, nine caves, five tunnels, 30 weapons storage facilities and nine hideouts were destroyed. Weapons and ammunition were also captured during the offensives, he said.

“We believe Afghanistan should have only one capital, which is Kabul, and we will never allow Daesh’s centre to exist in Afghanistan,” he added.

The commander said hundreds of Afghan and foreign forces jointly launched the offensives two months ago and many areas had since been recaptured.

Haska Mena district’s administrative chief Rizwanullah Basharmal told Pajhwok Daesh had chosen Gorgori area as its capital. The US struck it with the Mother of All Bombs in Achin district.

He claimed many Daesh rebels had been killed, including Chinese, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Iranians, Chechens and a number of local fighters.

He said the rebels had retreated to areas like Tora Bora, Khogyani, Pachiragam and eastern Kunar province. Security check-posts have been established in the area.

Security officials planned to eliminate another Daesh centre in Tora Bora, he informed.

This Pajhwok reporter, visiting the areas, said people were yet to return to their homes. Some houses were ruined and aircraft flew overhead, he reported.

sa/mud