'Osama deputy killed'

BANGI (Afghanistan), NOV. 25. An Islamic militant leader from Uzbekistan who was a key deputy of Osama bin Laden was killed in the northern Afghanistan, an anti-Taliban general said on Sunday.

Juma Namangani, 32, was mortally wounded during fighting for Mazar-e-Sharif, where the Taliban were routed on November 9. He died days later as a result of his wounds. However, there was no way to verify his claim.

He had come to Afghanistan late last year, about the same time an Uzbek court sentenced him to death for terrorist acts and he was believed to have a home in Kabul. By this spring, he had become close to Osama. He was appointed head of Osama's `foreign legion'. Other reports said he was the deputy head of Osama's military operations.

- AFP

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Section  : International
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