British troops on patrol in Afghanistan

BBC

NATO air strikes in eastern Afghanistan have killed a commander of the Pakistani Taliban, the alliance says.

Mullah Dadullah was among several militants killed in air strikes carried out in Afghanistan's Kunar province, reports the BBC.

NATO said in a statement Dadullah had carried out attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and was responsible for moving fighters and weapons.

The Pakistani government accuses militants of basing themselves in Kunar to launch attacks across the border.

Dadullah was killed along with 12 other militants when the houses they were in came under attack, according to local Afghan officials and NATO.

Dadullah had taken over as leader of the Taliban in Pakistan's Bajaur tribal area earlier this year.

He replaced Bajaur's previous commander, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, who had apparently been in peace talks with the government.