Rift over new IS leader in Afghanistan

Kabul, April 9: A rift has emerged over choosing a new Islamic State (IS) leader in Afghanistan's Jawzjan province after its previous chief was killed in an air strike, a police officer said on Monday.

"Since Qari Hekmat was killed on Friday, insurgents loyal to the hardliner group have failed to reach consensus over finding a new leader," the officer told Xinhua news agency.

Hekmat's supporters declared Qari Habib Rahman as the new leader but reports from Darzab district says that other IS fighters, including those from Uzbekistan, have challenged hiss leadership, the official added.

Darzab has been regarded as the main base of IS militants in the northern region of Afghanistan. 

Foreign fighters from some countries, including central Asian states, have been fighting alongside the IS in the district and adjoining areas.