Kabul: The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has killed more than 20 insurgents during a two-day operation in the eastern Afghan province of Wardak, an alliance statement said Monday.

Meanwhile, the US-led coalition forces have detained eight suspected militants in Paktia province in the east, 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 Sunday detained eight suspected militants belonging to Taliban leader Jalaluddin Haqqani's 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.

Haqqani, 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 which turned into a stronghold of Taliban insurgency.

 

Source : ians