2nd LD Writethru: U.S. airstrikes kill 29 militants, destroy IS radio in Afghanistan
Xinhua, February 2, 2016 Adjust font size:
About 29 Islamic State (IS) militants were killed and a radio station belonging to the militant group was destroyed after U.S.-led coalition forces carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nangarhar overnight Monday.
"The foreign forces conducted four air raids against IS positions in Momand Dara of Achin district Monday night, killing 29 IS militants and destroying an IS radio station," the provincial government said in a statement on Tuesday.
Those killed included five workers of the banned group's radio station and five people in charge of Internet service of the extremist group, the statement added.
Several high-ranking IS members were also among the killed by the airstrikes in Achin, which is regarded as an IS stronghold.
The IS militants have been using the so-called Voice of Caliphate radio since late last year to intimidate people from supporting the government and recruit new fighters.
The U.S. drones continued to be hovering over Jalalabad and Achin district Tuesday morning, according to locals.
The district bordering Pakistan has been the scene of heavy clashes between IS militants and security forces backed by pro-government local militiamen over the past couple of months.
The militant group has yet to make comments. Enditem