At least six members of a family were killed during overnight operation targeting Taliban in the Sherzad district of Nangarhar province, residents said Monday.
Security forces raided several houses in the Kolalano village, Gandamak area, Sunday night, killing eight persons, Muhammad Sabar, a resident of the same village, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
Among the dead were six members of a family including Muhammad Hassani, his two sons, Sabawoon and Barakzai, two cousins Zalmay and Ajmal and another person Hameedullah, he said.
Besides the six civilians, he said, a former Taliban district governor Rohullah and Taliban education official for the area, Qari Nasrat, were also killed.
According to local residents, the slain Taliban were the aides of Taliban commander Kashmir Khan aka Haji Baba.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the overnight raid left five civilians dead. He did not say if there were any casualties to Taliban.
Mostly such operations are conducted by NDS’ special forces with any coordination with local administration. There was no word by government officials in this regard.
