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Afghan forces launch operation against IS positions in eastern province

Xinhua, February 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

Afghan security forces on Saturday started an operation against Islamic State (IS) militants' positions in the country's eastern Nangarhar province, the Defense Ministry said.

"Personnel of Afghan National Army (ANA) 201 Selaab Corps launched a joint military and cleanup operation codenamed 'Saheen 18' Saturday morning in close coordination with police and national intelligence agency staff in Achin district, Nangarhar province," the ministry said in a statement.

The security forces would help pro-government militiamen to deploy security checkpoints in the surrounding areas of the district and the operation will continue before the area is cleared from IS militants, it added.

"The army air force will also provide air support to the local anti-IS uprising groups," the statement noted.

The Achin district, located in the southern part of provincial capital of Jalalabad, has been regarded as the IS militants' stronghold.

Several dozens of IS militants have been killed after Afghan army helicopters and drones of U.S. forces carried out airstrikes in Achin bordering Pakistan over the past couple of months. Enditem