KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan and US forces have killed a suspected Taleban leader in their drive to secure unstable parts of Afghanistan ahead of landmark parliamentary elections next month, the US military said. Afghan soldiers and US paratroopers killed Qari Amadullah, believed to have led up to 50 Taleban militants armed with rockets and rocket-propelled grenades, during a firefight Tuesday in eastern Paktika province, a military statement said.Five other militants were killed and three US service members were wounded during the clash, which erupted in an area where Afghan and US forces were trying to kill or capture suspected Taleban insurgent leaders.
Amadullah’s name is the same as that of the Taleban’s former intelligence chief, but Afghan and US officials were unable to confirm whether it was the same person.