Top al-Qaeda leader killed in eastern Afghanistan: Officials

A senior al-Qaeda commander has been killed by Afghan security forces in the central city of Ghazni, security officials said.

According to Press TV, the Afghan intelligence service confirmed in a tweet on Saturday that Abu Muhsin al-Masri had been killed by Afghan Special Forces in a recent operation.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said al-Masri was al-Qaeda's number two commander for the Indian Subcontinent.

The NDS did not immediately share more details.

Breaking news: As a result of NDS Special Force Unit operation in Ghazni Province an al-Qaeda key member for Indian Subcontinent, Abu Muhsen Almisry was killed.

— NDS Afghanistan (@NDSAfghanistan) October 24, 2020

The senior al-Qaeda commander had been listed among the most wanted terrorists by the US Department of Justice since 2018.

In a statement Saturday, Director of the US National Counterterrorism Center Chris Miller confirmed al-Masri's death, saying his removal "highlights the diminishing effectiveness of the terrorist organization."

Al-Masri had been charged in the United States with having provided material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organization and conspiracy to kill US nationals.

Media sources, citing the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), said al-Masri was an Egyptian national who also went by the name Husam Abd-al-Ra'uf.

The FBI declined to comment on the news of al-Masri’s death.

Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed some 200 al-Qaeda militants were still operating in Afghanistan.

In addition to al-Qaeda, other groups such as the Taliban and Daesh have militants in the war-torn country.

Afghanistan has been occupied by US-led foreign forces since 2001. Despite the occupation, many parts of the country remain plagued by violence and militancy.

ME