KABUL (TCA) — Afghan Special Forces have killed a senior militant leader who was in charge of Daesh (Islamic State) activities in northern Afghanistan and Central Asia, Sputnik news agency reported citing Afghan media.
The militant, identified as Mufti Uzbek, was killed during an operation in the village of Dahana-e-Ghori, Baghlan Province in the northeast of the country on Friday night, the Khaama Press news agency reported late on Saturday.
Conflict-ridden Afghanistan has been dealing with long-term instability caused by fighting between government troops and Taliban militants, as well as groups affiliated with al-Qaeda, Daesh and other insurgents.
The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, supported by a US-led coalition, have been conducting joint operations to combat terrorism across the country.
In other news, RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan reported that at least 13 people were killed in a Taliban attack on a police headquarters in the northern Afghan city of Pul-e-Khumri on May 5.
The Interior Ministry said that the attack in Baghlan Province’s capital began with a suicide car bomber striking the entrance to the compound and eight gunmen rushing in after the explosion.
The ministry said that 13 police officers were killed and another 55 people, including 20 civilians, were wounded before the attackers were all killed in an hours-long gunbattle.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault, which comes two days after an Afghan grand council convened by President Ashraf Ghani ended with a demand for an immediate cease-fire.
The council, known as a Loya Jirga, brought together more than 3,200 politicians, tribal elders, prominent figures, and others to hammer out a shared strategy for future negotiations with the Taliban.
In a statement on May 3, the Taliban rejected a cease-fire, saying attacks will continue during Ramadan.
