War on terror

Al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan killed, spy agency confirms

Two top Al-Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan were killed in a US drone attack, the nation's spy agency confirmed Thursday, in a major blow to the group as it seeks to re-establish safe havens in the country.

Washington said the strikes on Sunday targeted Farouq al-Qahtani, Al-Qaeda's emir for northeastern Afghanistan, and his deputy Bilal al-Utabi, calling it the most significant attack against the group's leadership in several years.

Multiple Hellfire missiles "levelled" two different compounds in Kunar province where the men were believed to be hiding, US officials said Wednesday, without confirming if the strikes were successful.

Afghanistan's National Directorate of Security offered confirmation of their death on Thursday, adding that a third senior member of the group had also been killed.