Taliban leader killed in airstrike

Monitoring Desk

KABUL: A key Taliban leader who was involved behind the recent wave of violence in southern Helmand province has been killed in an airstrike.

The provincial government media office in a statement said the prominent Taliban Qari Fida Mohammad was among several killed as fighter jets bombed the militants in Marjah district.

The statement further added that the airstrike was carried out today in the vicinity of Haji Baba roundabout.

According to Helmand provincial government, Qari Fida was a close aide to the shadow governor of the Taliban for Helmand Mullah Manan and was actively involved in recent violence in this province. No further details have been given regarding the number of the Taliban insurgents killed or wounded in the airstrike.

However, the Helmand government said an investigation is underway and more details will be released as appropriate.

The anti-government armed militant groups including the Taliban insurgents have not commented regarding the report so far.

This comes as the Taliban group lost two senior local leaders in this province earlier this month days 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.

The militants were targeted as they were travelling on the highway, the provincial government added.