Al-Qaida militant killed in Afghanistan

One militant of the al-Qaida terrorist network was killed following an airstrike in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, the military said on Wednesday.

"The coalition forces launched an airstrike in close coordination with the Afghan security agencies in surrounding areas of Shar-e-Safa District, Zabul province, killing one militant of the al-Qaida network," Afghan Special Forces Operational Coordination Command said in a statement.

The targeted militant had been involved in organizing subversive activities in Afghanistan and was responsible for crimes against the people of Afghanistan, the statement said without providing details.

The Afghan security forces and the coalition troops will continue to target terrorists and their hideouts to provide security for Afghans, the statement said.

Zabul province with Qalat as its capital, 340 km south of Afghan capital, has been the scene of clashes between security forces and Taliban militants over the past couple of weeks.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the country.

Source: XINHUA