Islamic State Militants Attack Afghan Security Checkpoints
By RFE RL
(RFE/RL) — Afghan officials say Islamic State militants have attacked checkpoints in the eastern province of Nangarhar, the group’s first attack on security forces in the country.
Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a provincial government spokesman, told the AP news agency that three policemen were killed and eight wounded in the attack on September 27 in the Achin district.
Abdulzai added that IS militants “have a presence in three districts of Nangarhar, but this was their first attack on Afghan forces in the province.”
He said Afghan air strikes launched after the early morning attack killed 60 IS militants.
Haji Ghalib, the governor of Achin district, told the AFP news agency that 10 checkpoints were attacked.
He said it was the first time IS militants had “launched coordinated attacks on police checkpoints in Nangarhar.”
IS has been making inroads in Afghanistan, winning over a growing number of sympathizers and recruiting followers.
