Pakistan Taliban leader killed

Tehrik-i Taliban leader Maulawi Dadullah was among several insurgents killed in an airstrike in Afghanistan's Kunar province, NATO officials said Saturday. Afghan and coalition forces confirmed Dadullah and his Pakistani Taliban deputy, identified as Shakir, were killed Friday in the airstrike in Kunar's Sheltan district, the International Security Assistance Force said in a release. Dadullah, also known as Jamal, was responsible for movement of fighters and weapons, as well as attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, ISAF officials said. Kunar Police Chief Elwaz Mohammad Naziri said 13 militants were also killed in the strike, The New York Times reported. Dadullah was the most senior Pakistani Taliban commander killed by NATO in Afghanistan, the Times said. In southern Afghanistan, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a senior Taliban financier in Kandahar province Saturday. Officials said the financier oversaw financial operations for Taliban insurgents and bought weapons and ammunition for Taliban attacks in the area. Afghan and coalition officials also confirmed Saturday a Taliban weapons dealer was among several insurgents detained during an Aug. 22 operation in Now Zad district in Helmand province. The weapons dealer was responsible for acquiring weapons and ammunition for Taliban fighters in Marjah and Washer districts, and directed and led attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Several insurgents were killed in a joint operation in the Shigal wa Sheltan district of Kunar province Friday, ISAF officials said.