IS leader in Afghanistan, Pakistan 'eliminated by US drone'

The leader of the Islamic State terror group's branch in Afghanistan and Pakistan was killed in a US drone strike in Afghanistan on July 26, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting a US defence official on condition of anonymity.

The Afghan ambassador to Pakistan earlier said a US drone strike had killed Hafiz Saeed Khan, in what Reuters said would be a blow to efforts by Middle East-based IS to expand its control over territory and its militant brand into Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The strike took place in the Kot district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, the US official told the news agency.

Khan, a former member of the Pakistani branch of the Taliban who swore allegiance to IS, had earlier been reported killed last year but his death was never confirmed.

"I can confirm that ISIS Khurasan leader Hafiz Saeed Khan along with his senior commanders and fighters died in a US drone strike on July 26 in Kot district of Afghanistan's Nangharhar province," Afghan Ambassador Omar Zakhilwal told Reuters.

A spokesman for the US military coalition in Kabul told the agency he could not confirm the reports but officials were investigating.