US Drone (file photo)
VOA News
Ayaz Gul
January 8, 2016
ISLAMABAD—A suspected US drone strike Friday killed at least 17 Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan shortly after the extremist group beheaded seven people in the same area, said officials and residents.
The violence occurred in the remote Achin district of Nangarhar province, which borders Pakistan. The volatile district is where IS is believed to have setup its strong bases.
Ataullah Khogyani, a provincial governor spokesman, told VOA that six Taliban insurgents were among those beheaded by Daesh, the Arabic acronym for IS. He added that while the executions were being carried out missiles fired by an unmanned US aircraft hit the area, killing 17 Daesh fighters, including several key commanders.
Sources tell VOA the beheadings took place in the afternoon shortly after Friday prayers in front of local villagers and a member of the Afghan National Army was also among the victims. Khogyani, however, would not confirm it.
The Taliban this week launched attacks against IS bases in two districts around Achin, killing dozens of fighters of the rival group and evicting them from these areas, according to local officials.
This is not the first time IS has beheaded people in Afghanistan after establishing its footprint in the country.
On Wednesday, Afghan Acting Defense Minister Masoom Stanekzai told VOA that the government has formed a special force to counter Islamic State in eastern parts of the country.
IS has been active in several districts of Nangarhar, where it launched multiple attacks on government facilities.
IS militants have also been engaged in fierce fighting with the rival Taliban in the province. Dozens of insurgents reportedly have been killed in the fighting between the two militant groups.
I do not think, the four ways meeting with with Taliban would result in favor of Afghanistan, it would lead to meeting after meeting with zero result, and frustration. Fist of all, one should ask them why are you in Afghanistan, and what are you fighting for. If you talking about establishing an Islamic country, there is already there, you Taliban have not read Holy Quran, if you did you did not understand the meaning of it. Killing of Muslim and non Muslim specially of civilians, destroying their home and place of worship is not written in Holy Quran. Go learn about Islam, then talk abut it. You are very uneducated,ignorant with out a mind. You are only a tool, used you by your master, Go to hell,
A bunch of thieves and murderers entered iinto some body home, killed few members of the family, and robed their properties. Now, this family is very happy that these murders are going to negociating with this family. This is exactly happening with Afghanistan, and Afghanistan is happy and mentioning it time and time about this shameful negociation on the air.. It is said, said for all people of Afghanistan. A country must make herself strong to be able to defend his people,and his country not to stretch his hand for help.