Afghanistan arrests 11 suspected Chechen militants
Logar governor’s spokesman says suspected militants include women and children; weapons seized
file photo
By Shadi Khan Saif
KABUL, Afghanistan
Afghan security forces on Thursday arrested 11 suspected Chechen militants, including women and children, in Logar province bordering Kabul, an official said.
Salim Saleh, spokesman for the provincial governor, told Anadolu Agency the Afghan forces conducted a raid last evening in the Kozay Chotaray area of the restive Azara district.
“The militants were on their way to Azara from Nangarhar province,” he said, adding that arms, ammunition and a pick-up vehicle have also been confiscated from the militants.
A couple of months ago, the Afghan forces claimed to kill 8 Chechen and Uzbek fighters in the province’s Sarkh district.
According to Afghan officials, many southern parts of Nangarhar province lying between Pakistan‘s restive tribal area and Afghanistan’s Logar province are under the influence of the pro-Daesh militants comprising many local and foreign fighters.
The provincial assembly in Logar has long been raising concerns about the pro-Daesh militants recruiting young men and eyeing to gain foothold in Azara district.
