Uzbek terrorist leader killed in fight

KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- An Uzbek militant group leader responsible for a December suicide bomb attack was killed Sunday in a firefight with security forces in Afghanistan.

The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader known as Ilhom, responsible for a Christmas Day attack in which killed a Takhar province official, died in a battle with the NATO- and Afghan-led International Security Assistance Force in the province's Taloqan district, an ISAF Joint Command update stated.

Another insurgent died and a third was detained during the operation, the report said.

Ilhom was also a facilitator for the training of suicide bombers in the area.

The ISAF also reported the capture of a Taliban leader in Helmand province, and of a Haqqani network facilitator who produced explosives and planted roadside bombs in Logar province.