Two Taliban Insurgent Leaders Killed During Combined Operation in Faryab

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KABUL, Afghanistan--(ENEWSPF)--May 6 — During an Afghan and coalition security force operation in Almar district, Faryab province Friday, two Taliban commanders and three insurgents were killed following a battle with the security force. 

Mehdi, the senior Taliban commander in Faryab province in charge of 50 Taliban fighters, was killed during the battle. He planned and organized roadside bombings and other attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. He was also responsible for distributing funds to the Taliban district commanders. 

Also killed was Mohammad Mazhari, a subordinate commander responsible for carrying out the attacks planned by Mehdi. He was also a Taliban judge and attempted to impose Taliban law and punishment on the civilians in Faryab province. 

As the operation began, the security force observed Mehdi, Mazhari and several other insurgents moving weapons and ammunition into a cache site. When the security force maneuvered to detain the insurgents, the insurgents opened fire with multiple weapons. Assessing the immediate threat, the security force returned fire and after ensuring no civilians were in the area, called in a precision airstrike. 

A follow-on assessment determined that three other insurgents were killed and no civilians were harmed. 

The security force detained several additional insurgents and also recovered multiple AI-47s, rocket-propelled grenades, a PKM machine gun and explosive device components. 

Source: nato.int