The military alliance says Sabar Lal Melma was in contact with senior al-Qaeda members in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. — Photo by AFP

KABUL: Nato forces say they have killed a former Guantanamo detainee who was a ''key affiliate of the al-Qaeda network'' in an overnight raid in eastern Afghanistan.

Nato says Sabar Lal Melma organised attacks in eastern Kunar province and helped fund insurgent operations.

The military alliance says he was in contact with senior al-Qaeda members in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Troops surrounded Melma's house in Jalalabad city on Friday night.

Nato spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff says Melma came out of the building holding an AK-47 assault rifle and was killed. Several other people were detained.

A guard at Melma's house named Mohammad Gul says Melma was released from Guantanamo about four years ago.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.