News - Afghanistan

Isaf confirmed Saturday that Al-Qaeda senior leader Abu Walid was killed last month in a joint Afghan and Nato troops operation in the Watahpur district of eastern Kunar province.

"Abu Walid, also known as Amru Mastur al-Ghamrawi, was a Saudi al-Qaeda leader and improvised explosive device expert who participated in numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, particularly in Waygal district of Nuristan province, Aug 3," Isaf said in a statement.

He was killed in the military operation along with al-Qaida facilitator Fatah Gul and several other insurgents, according to Isaf.

Afghan and coalition forces conducted an operation in the same Kunar district on Friday, killing several insurgents in an airstrike.

"During the operation, the security force observed several individuals engaging in insurgent activity. After ensuring there were no civilians nearby, the security force engaged with a precision airstrike," Isaf said.

Isaf said no civilians were harmed and there was no damage to civilian buildings.

Isaf also confirmed that Taliban cell leader Ajmal Mohammad Alam was captured in eastern Ghazni province on Friday.

The Taliban leader is believed to help acquire weapons and improvised explosive devices used for attacks in Ghazni's Shah Joy district, Isaf said.

In the same operation, combined forces found and destroyed 1,250 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in the production of homemade explosive, it added.

Isaf it did not provide any report about Afghan and Nato troop casualties during these operations.