A+ A-

Air strike, operation kills 21 militants in E. Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 21 (KUNA) -- At least 21 militants belonging to so-called Islamic State (IS) were killed in a United States-led drone strike and Afghan forces offensive in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, said officials on Tuesday.
Provincial Police Chief, Col. Hazrat Hussain Mashraqiwal told media that 12 militants had been killed in a US drone strike in the Bandar locality of Achin district in Nangarhar. The vehicle in which militants were traveling was also destroyed in the strike.
Separately, seven rebels have been killed and two others wounded in Afghan security forces offensive codenamed "Shahin-25" in Haska Mena district, said Attaullah Khogyani, the governor's spokesman. Security forces and civilians suffered no casualties in the ongoing offensive, he added.
The air strike and the offensive came at a time when Afghan security forces have paced up their operations across Afghanistan against the rebels in order to maintain law and order situation in the country. (end) sbk.mt