Published 18:42 IST, September 15th 2019
US-Afghan operation in Paktika province kills at least 90 terrorists
Nearly 120 Taliban terrorists were killed or at least wounded in a joint operation conducted by the forces of Afghanistan and the United States of America.
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Nearly 120 Taliban terrorists were killed or at least wounded in a joint operation conducted by the forces of Afghanistan and the United States of America on Sunday. It took place in the south-eastern province of Paktika in Afghanistan. The spokesperson of the security forces revealed that they had killed at least 90 terrorists besides injuring 20 others. According to the Khaama Press News Agency, the Afghan security forces launched this operation with the support of US airpower. Additionally, the Afghan National Army’s 203rd Thunder Corps stated that 23 motorcycles, a tractor, and some weapons were destroyed in the operation.
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Hamza Bin Laden’s death
The latest blow to the Taliban comes just a day after the US President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Al Qaeda leader Hamza Bin Laden. Aged about 30 years old, Hamza was the 15th son of the Al Qaeda founder Osama Bin Laden. According to President Trump, he was killed in a US counter-terrorism operation in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. He opined that not only did this deprive Al Qaeda of important leadership skills, but also undermined important operational activities of the terrorist group. The US President stated that Hamza was responsible for planning and dealing with several terrorist organizations.
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President Trump's tough line on the Taliban
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump claimed that the Taliban had been hit harder than ever before. He condemned the killing of 12 people, including an American soldier. President Trump reiterated that this was not the appropriate way for the Taliban to come to the negotiating table. Stating that they had committed a big mistake, he stressed that the Taliban had no way to get out of this situation.
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Earlier, the US President called off the scheduled secret meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Taliban leaders after a car bomb attack in capital city Kabul. Peace talks between the US and the Taliban began in October 2018, with the aim to end the 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.
(With ANI inputs)
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17:29 IST, September 15th 2019