At least 225 Islamic State, or Daesh, fighters have been killed during a week-long operation in the Kot district of eastern Nangarhar province, local officials claimed on Friday.
Ninety-four fighters of the militant group had been wounded during the counter-terrorism offensive in the district, Attaullah Khogyani, the governor’s spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
He said the dead included some important commanders and group leaders. The security personnel also destroyed a huge quantity of arms and ammunition belonging to the rebel outfit, the spokesman added.
As a result of the offensive in Kot, he continued, 45 villages had been cleared of a Daesh presence. He blamed the group for killing 20 security personnel and civilians over the past week.
The operation would continue until the entire district was purged of Daesh’s insurgency, Khogyani promised. Last week, the terrorist group killed several civilians and torched dozens of houses.
Senior Interior Ministry official Brig. Gen. Salem Ihsas, at the head of a high-level delegation, recently visited Kot and Haska Mina districts to assess the overall security situation there.
Khogyani said Gen. Ihsas was accompanied by Nangarhar police chief Brig. Gen. ZarawarZahid and Border Police Commander Brig. Gen. Wali Khan Shinwari.
Gen. Ihsas praised the sacrifices rendered by the border police personnel in defence of their homeland. Showing remarkable resilience, he said, the security forces had imposed a crushing defeat on the enemy.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad NasimSangin, leading the operation in Kot, briefed the visiting delegation on the security environment and the losses inflicted on Daesh. He commended coordination among security forces and their high morale.
He instructed the security men to ensure the protection of civilians during the anti-Daesh operation in the area. Salem also had the opportunity to take a closer look at the security situation in Haska Mina.
In order to improve security, the visiting Interior Ministry official announced 100 additional Afghan Local Police (ALP) officials would be recruited each in Haska Mina and Rodat districts.
He also vowed timely supplies, including modern weapons, to the provincial police force. A number of security personnel, who demonstrated valour during recent clashes in Haska Mina, Kot and Torkham, were given awards, cash prizes and appreciation letters.
pajhwok.com
