NATO strikes kill 15 militants in Afghanistan

KABUL - The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said Thursday it killed 15 insurgents in Afghanistan.

“Afghan and coalition security forces conducted operations in Logar province Wednesday, killing 12 Taliban insurgents including Qari Muir, a Taliban commander,” a NATO statement said.

Qari Muir is said to have held several Taliban positions in the southeastern province in the past, including deputy shadow governor, military commander and intelligence chief.

“The Taliban currently operating in Logar province are inflicting violence, instability and fear on the Afghan people,” said Colonel Rafael Torres, an ISAF spokesman.

In the eastern province of Kunar, international troops killed three insurgents and detained several others.

Eight soldiers were injured when an ISAF helicopter made a hard landing in Kandahar, NATO said Thursday.

“The helicopter was involved in a joint Afghan and coalition operation when it made the landing. There were 19 people on the aircraft and all have been safely recovered,” the statement said.

Based on initial reports, the incident was not the result of enemy fire. An investigation into the cause of the incident is ongoing.

Violence is on the rise as Afghan and international troops as well as Taliban insurgents escalate operations. Some 140,000 US and NATO troops are currently deployed in Afghanistan.