1st LD Writethru: Afghan prominent police general killed in bomb attack in Nangarhar

A prominent Afghan police general was killed in a bomb attack in the country's eastern province of Nangarhar on Sunday, a source said.

Brigadier General Zarawar Zahid, police chief of Nangarhar province, was killed following a roadside bomb attack in Hisarak district, Nangarhar on Sunday evening, the source told Xinhua anonymously.

Further details about the attack are still forthcoming amid the absence of official statement.

The late Zahid was monitoring the situation and was inspecting the security checkpoints in front line of battle with the Taliban insurgents in the restive district before came under attack, the source said, adding "details about the incident would be made public later as investigation into the incident is underway."

"Zahid was an outstanding member of Afghan National Police (ANP), he was also a well-known anti-Taliban officer, he had served as police chief of eastern Ghanzi province in the past. His death was a big blow for the ANP, the source added.

The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen recently as they struggle against a surge in attacks by Taliban militant group and other anti-government fighters.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since early April when the militant group launched its annual rebel offensive in different areas of the country.

The province with Jalalabad as its capital, 120 km east of Afghan capital of Kabul, is also a known Islamic State (IS) militants stronghold. Enditem