A commander of the al-Qaeda terrorist network was killed with four others during separate airstrikes involving unmanned aerial vehicle of the US forces in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Defense (MoD) said the airstrikes were carried out in southern Zabul and northern Kunduz provinces.

According to a statement by MoD, the al-Qaeda commander killed in the airstrike has been identified as Mullah Mohammad Ali.

The airstrike targeting the al-Qaeda comes amid concerns that the terrorist network is attempting to consolidate operations with the other militant groups, including the Taliban insurgents in a bid to expand foothold in the country.

Meanwhile, the Afghan and US forces have stepped up counter-terrorism operations against the terrorist groups in Afghanistan, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group.

According to reports, the US Air Force dropped 251 bombs and missiles targeting mainly the loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group in Afghanistan during the months of January and February.

Source: MENA