US troops shoot militant

KABUL: American troops shot dead a suspected militant on a motorcycle, said the US military said on Monday, while disputing the death toll given by Afghan officials for a major offensive against Taliban militants last week, saying only 77 rebels were killed and not 178.

The shooting happened on Sunday east of Qalat, said a military statement. “The man approached the checkpoint on a motorcycle at a high rate of speed and ignored verbal warnings to stop,” it said. “As he drew closer he brandished an AK-47 assault rifle. Coalition forces opened fire, killing him.” The man was found to be wearing an ammunition vest with additional AK-47 rounds, the statement said. US military spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Jerry O’Hara said the unidentified man was suspected of being an Islamic militant involved in attacks on US-led forces. agencies

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