Afghan forces kill 300 Daesh terrorists in Nangarhar
Afghan forces have killed an estimated 300 members of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group during a recent massive military operation in the country’s troubled east.
The terrorists were killed in the large-scale offensive conducted by the Afghan military two weeks ago in the eastern province of Nangarhar.
General John Nicholson, a senior NATO commander in Afghanistan, also confirmed on Wednesday that Afghan soldiers managed to kill top Daesh commanders across the militancy-riddled region.
"They killed a number of top leaders of the organization and up to 300 of their fighters," he told reporters, adding, "Obviously it's difficult to get an exact count, but what this amounts to is about 25 percent of the organization at least, and so this represents a severe setback for them."
The operations against Daesh affiliates in Afghanistan come amid rising concerns that the terror group is attempting to gain a new foothold in the country.
Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, has been the main area where Daesh has managed to carry out high-profile attacks.
The Takfiri group has reportedly managed to establish connections with Taliban's splinter groups, especially those believed to be discontent with changes in the Taliban leadership.
Daesh has also enjoyed defections from al-Qaeda in Afghanistan although the latter's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, has pledged allegiance to Taliban's new leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada.
Officials in the Afghan government have blamed local leaders in the east of the country for the surge in the Daesh militancy.
The Takfiri terrorist group last month claimed responsibility for a bombing at a demonstration held by the Shia Hazara community in the capital, Kabul, where at least 80 people were killed.
7 people, incl. child, killed in attack on Shia mosque in NW Afghanistan: Report
Afghan forces arrest 2 Daesh terrorists in province bordering Iran
US drones violate Afghanistan's airspace: Taliban
Israel’s hostile acts should not affect Iran-IAEA ties: Nuclear chief
Asylum seekers in UK ‘hide or flee to Ireland’ amid Rwanda fears
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
‘Israel exacerbating Gaza crisis by blocking aid, targeting hospitals and schools’
IRGC disintegrating enemies as morally bankrupt US targets Muslim world: Salami
VIDEO | Police raid pro-Palestinian camp at Amsterdam university, arrest 125 students
How Palestinian prisoner in jail for 20 years won coveted literary prize for his book
UK defense ministry comes under major cyber attack
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
