Mohammad Hanif alias Abdullah, leader of Al-Qaeda for the Indian sub-continent (AQIS) was killed in a special operation by the National Directorate of Security (NDS) in Bakwa District of Farah Province, khaama.com reports on November 11. Hanif was a Pakistani national. He was reportedly given shelter and protection by the Taliban. He had entered Helmand Province with the direct support of the Taliban, furthermore, he was moved with the group’s cooperation to Farah Province. As he had close ties with the Taliban, it is reported that he trained and assisted the Taliban militants in creating explosives, car bombs, and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Two Pakistani female nationals were also detained during the operation.