A high-ranking Islamic State commander in Afghanistan has been killed in an airstrike, officials said Saturday, as Afghan and U.S. forces increase attacks on the militant group.
Qari Hekmat was the top commander of Islamic State – Khorasan Province in the northern province of Jowzjan, where the group established a stronghold after coming under intense pressure in the eastern province of Nangarhar.
Hekmat was killed Friday in an Afghan airstrike in Darzab district, the defence ministry said in a statement, describing him as “one of the key figures” for ISKP in northern Afghanistan and adding that he has been replaced by Mawlawi Habib-ul-Rahman.
Images that appear to show his body have been posted on social media.