News - Afghanistan

A Taliban commander was killed by airstrike during a joint Afghan and Nato troop operation in the Sayed Abad district of central Wardak province on Tuesday, Isaf said.

The commander Malang, also known as Monsur, "was directly involved in planning attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against Afghan and coalition forces, as well coordinating the movement of insurgent fighters throughout the region", Isaf said in a statement Wednesday.

The airstrike was conducted after ensuring that no civilians were in the area, according to the statement.

In eastern Ghazni province, two other Taliban leaders – an attack commander and an IED expert – were captured during a joint operation in Ghazni district Wednesday, said Isaf.

The detained IED expert acquired and constructed several types of explosives or insurgent attacks and is also believed to be involved in suicide bomber training, it added.

In Ghazni's Khugyani district, Taliban leader Wali Muhammad Shahid was also captured Wednesday, suspected of coordinating with insurgent groups to conduct direct-fire and IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

Meanwhile in eastern Khost province, a Haqqani IED attack leader was captured Monday in a joint Afghan and Nato troop operation. He is suspected of coordinating and planning IED attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region, Isaf said.