Top-ranking Afghan militant killed

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials say Malawi Abdul Manan, a top-ranking enemy commander in Afghanistan, has been killed by Afghan security forces.

Officials have confirmed Abdul Manan's death along with several other enemy fighters in Afghanistan’s Khost province, the American Forces Press Service reported.

Afghan soldiers set up an ambush after spotting 12 enemy fighters allegedly attempting to infiltrate from Pakistan near a border checkpoint in the Spira district. During a small-arms fire several of the militants were killed, including Manan.

Official suspect Manan was responsible for the movement of insurgent fighters and weapons across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. He was also allegedly in charge of a large group of militants.

“The death of Abdul Manan is a tremendous blow for the enemy and a great success by the Afghan national security forces here in Afghanistan,” Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a combined joint task force 82 spokesman, said in a statement.

“We are glad to see this important player removed from the picture here in eastern Afghanistan. He was a criminal and an enemy of the Afghan people. His death is a huge setback, which will send the enemy into a tailspin. It will slow their ability to conduct attacks, and the Afghan national security forces and coalition forces will be ready to take full advantage of their confusion.”