KABUL, Afghanistan, May 29 (UPI) -- A senior al-Qaida leader and another al-Qaida operative were killed in a security operation by Afghan and coalition forces, NATO said Tuesday.
Coalition and Afghan forces killed Sakhr al-Taifi, also known as Musthaq and Nasim, al-Qaida's second highest leader in Afghanistan, Sunday during an operation in Kunar province, the International Security Assistance Force said in a release.
ISAF officials said al-Taifi traveled between Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out commands from senior al-Qaida leadership. He also supplied weapons and equipment to insurgents and oversaw illegal transport of insurgent fighters into Afghanistan.
The identity of the other al-Qaida terrorist was not released.
ISAF officials said security forces carried out an airstrike after determining the identity of the targets and ensuring no civilians were in the area. A follow-up assessment determined no civilian property was damaged and no civilians were injured, officials said.
