Senior Isis leader Hafiz Saeed 'killed in drone strike in Afghanistan', reports intelligence agency

Hafiz Saeed is understood to be Islamic State's leader in Afghanistan and Pakistan

Siobhan Fenton
Sunday 12 July 2015 09:06 BST
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Hafiz Saeed was one of more than 30 militants killed in an airstrike in the Nangarhar province
Hafiz Saeed was one of more than 30 militants killed in an airstrike in the Nangarhar province (Getty)

A senior Isis leader has been killed in a US drone strike, according to reports by Afghanistan’s intelligence service.

Hafiz Saeed is understood to be Isis’ leader in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He was one of more than 30 militants killed in an airstrike in the Nangarhar province yesterday.

Abdul Hassib Sediqi, spokesperson for the National Directorate of Security, told media today that the strike had been carried out by US forces acting on Afghan intelligence information.

There has been no independent verification of reports as yet.

It is understood that the former Pakistan Taliban member defected to Isis in January. He featured in a video, apparently filmed in Pakistan, in which a number of fighters pledged allegiance to Isis.

With additional reporting by AP.

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