Several Taliban militants including a local commander have been killed in joint military operations by Afghan security forces and US-led soldiers in Afghanistan.\n<\/p>\n
According to a statement released by the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Thursday, \u00c5\u201cAn Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban leader, Lal Mohammad, during an operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar Province, yesterday.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u00c5\u201cMohammad produced, facilitated and disseminated improvised explosive devices to be used in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces\u201d, the statement added.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
ISAF also said at least two Taliban militants were killed during another joint operation carried out in Sayyidabad district, Wardak Province.<\/p>\n
In June, a senior Taliban leader, Shah Gul, was killed during a similar operation in the Chimtal district, Balkh Province.\n<\/p>\n
On February 12, a top Taliban leader, Tor Jan, was killed by Afghan forces and the US-led soldiers in the country\u00e2\u201e\u00a2s southern province of Kandahar.\n<\/p>\n
Following the operation, ISAF issued a statement saying that \u00c5\u201cTor Jan, also known as Graan, was a Taliban leader and facilitator who organized attacks against Afghan and coalition forces…The security forces conducted a precision strike, killing him.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in late April, the Taliban announced the start of their annual “spring offensive” against US-led and Afghan forces, vowing a new wave of attacks across Afghanistan.\n<\/p>\n
The militant group said it would use “every possible tactic” to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces. They specifically mentioned insider and bomb attacks.\n<\/p>\n
The announcement prompted the Afghan authorities to tighten security in major cities across the country, including the capital Kabul.\n<\/p>\n
The increasing number of casualties in Afghanistan has caused widespread anger against the United States and other NATO member states, undermining public support for the Afghan war, which began in 2001.\n<\/p>\n
The US-led war in Afghanistan removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan, despite the presence of about 100,000 US-led troops.\n<\/p>\n
MAM\/HN<\/p>\n