Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 22, 2009

NATO Confirms Insurgent Leader Killed in Southern Afghanistan
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=22741C6:A6F02AD83191E160BB3291D8D275DB6D2A201403E89ED254&
 
NATO released a statement Sunday saying Mahmood died during a recent
Afghan-led military operation near Ghoresh, in Kandahar province 
NATO forces in Afghanistan have confirmed that insurgent leader Mullah
Mahmood was killed in fighting with troops in southern Afghanistan. The
alliance released a statement Sunday saying Mahmood died during a recent
Afghan-led military operation near Ghoresh, in Kandahar province. It
says foreign forces supported the mission, and Mahmood was killed when
he attacked troops after being given the option to surrender. NATO says
Mahmood was the mastermind behind roadside and suicide bombings in
southern Afghanistan, as well as other criminal activities. In separate
fighting in Kandahar, officials say insurgents attacked a police patrol
in the Panjwayi district late Saturday, wounding two police officers.
Authorities say international and Afghan troops responded with a
military operation that lasted into early Sunday, and six fighters were
killed during the battle. Southern Afghanistan is the center of the
Taliban-led insurgency.


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