Taliban, IS clash in Afghanistan

Kabul: Taliban militants confirmed the clash with the Islamic State (IS) in the southern Zabul province and suffering casualties, a statement of the armed outfit sent to the media on Wednesday said.

"Since Mansoor Dadullah joined the Daesh group in Zabul province recently and began disturbing the routine life of people there, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (name of ousted Taliban regime) launched operations against Dadullah couple of days ago and has brought the situation under control," Xinhua quoted the statement as saying.

Normalcy has returned to Zabul and those supported Dadullah in the rebellion have surrendered, the statement further said.

Mansoor Dadullah, who reportedly is close to Taliban former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar's family and refused to made allegiance to Taliban new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor, is yet to make a comment.

The statement of Taliban released in the wake of media reports on the eruption of fighting between supporters and opponents of Taliban's new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor in Khak-e-Afghan and Arghandab district of the southern Zabul province last week, which have reportedly claimed more than 100 lives from both sides.

(IANS)