Senior IS leader among 24 terrorists killed in US drone attack

ISLAMABAD: A senior leader of Islamic State (IS) militant group and former Pakistani Taliban spokesman was among 24 terrorists killed today in a US drone attack in Afghanistan along its border with Pakistan.

Shahidullah Shahid, a Pakistani national, was deputy chief of the IS, also known as Daesh in Arabic.

At least 24 militants were killed in today's attack in Nangarhar where according to Pakistani officials dozens of militants were hiding.

Afghanistan intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), announced Shahid's death on its official Twitter account.

"Shahidullah Shahid, leader of Daesh in Afghanistan and former Pakistani Taliban spokesman, killed in Nangarhar drone attack," said the NDS.

Shahid was a spokesman of Pakistani Taliban but last year joined IS due to internal rift in the ranks.

Also known as Sheikh Maqbool Orakzai, he hailed from Orakzai tribal region of Pakistan and was wanted for several cases of terrorism in the country.

The timing of the drone strike is significant as it came a day after Pakistan hosted talks between Afghan official and Taliban militants.