Afghan Forces Kill Top Al-Qaeda Leader, Senior Taliban Commanders

Omar Khetab, also known as Omar Mansoor, was the most senior member of his branch of the group killed in Afghanistan, the National Directorate of Security said in a statement. Security forces also arrested 27 individuals in the operation in the eastern Afghan provinces of Ghazni, Paktia and Zabul, the agency said, without giving further details.

Meanwhile, the Taliban group has lost two more senior local leaders in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan after the killing of the commander of the Red Unit of the group.

The provincial government media office in Helmand in a statement said at least nine Taliban insurgents including two senior local leaders of the group were killed during the separate operations in Musa Qala and Greshk districts.

The statement further added that five Taliban insurgents including the shadow district governor of the group Daud Ulfat were killed in an airstrike on Greshk-Musa Qala highway.

Additionally, the senior Taliban leader, identified as Mullah Nasir, was killed in Musa Qala district of the province.

The provincial government media office in a statement also confirmed the killing of Mullah Nasir and said he was appointed as the deputy shadow governor of the group for Helmand.

The statement further added that Mullah Nasir was also in charge of the military affairs of the group and was killed along with three others in the airstrike.

According to the provincial government, Mullah Nasir was also involved in planning and coordinating suicide attacks in Helmand and other parts of the country.

Afghanistan is still suffering from insecurity and violence years after the US and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror.

In recent months, ISIS terrorists, after suffering devastating blows in Iraq and Syria, have now relocated to Afghanistan through alliances with local terror networks.