LOC21:48
18:48 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (KUNA) -- At least 15 Taliban rebels have been killed in two air strikes by the United States military in Afghanistan's southeastern Paktia province, said officials Wednesday.
According to district police chief, Col. Kamin Shinwari, US forces raided a Taliban base in Bokra area of Syed Karam district in Paktia. He confirmed that 11 rebels were killed and two others wounded in the attack. Weapons and ammunition belonging to rebels were also destroyed as a result of the strike, he added.
Separately, US forces carried out airstrike in Wach Ghrak area of Ahmadabad district in Paktia, said police spokesman Sardar Wali Tabasom. He claimed that four insurgents were killed and three others wounded in the strike. Afghan Ministry of Interior in Kabul also confirmed that 15 "militants" had been killed in Syed Karam and Ahmadabad districts.
Taliban rebels have not commented on the incident. The air strikes came weeks after US President Donald Trump announced his new strategy for Afghanistan that involves maintaining troops in the war-torn country. (end)
sbk.hb