Over 20 insurgents killed, 8 more arrested in Afghanistan
20/10/2008 16:51
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have
eliminated over 20 insurgents during a two-day operation in central eastern
Afghan province of Wardak, said the alliance statement released in Kabul
today.
Meanwhile, the US-led Coalition forces have detained eight suspected
militants in Paktiya of eastern Afghan province, it said.
ISAF engaged
militants with "close-air support" in Jalrez district of Wardak since Oct. 16
and pushed the militants south into another district of Nerkh, said the
statement.
"After 10 hours of fighting in Nerkh, ISAF troops countered the
insurgent threat and secured those districts killing over 20 militants," it
said.
"No ISAF soldiers were killed during the engagements," it added.
In
another operation, Coalition forces detained eight suspected militants yesterday
to disrupt the Haqqani network in Paktia province, said the
statement.
"Coalition forces searched a compound in Zadran District,
targeting a Haqqani sub-commander who is suspected of coordinating militant
activities to destabilize Afghan government," it said.
"No civilian or
Coalition forces casualties have been reported following the operation," it
added.
Jalaludin Haqani, who served as a minister and chief of army staff
during Taliban regime in Afghanistan, is a close aide to Taliban chief Mullah
Mohammad Omar and has been leading Taliban fighters in east Afghanistan to mount
pressure on Afghan government and international troops deployed there in the
post- Taliban nation.
Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the
lives of over 4,500 people, mostly militants, so far this year in the war- torn
country.
Xinhua
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