Air strike kills Pakistani Taliban commander in E. Afghanistan: officials

An air strike against militants in Ali Shir district of the eastern Khost province has claimed the lives of 10 armed insurgents including a Pakistani Taliban commander Sayed Sajna on Wednesday, a security official said Thursday.

"U.S. drone pounded militants' hideout in Ali Shir district Wednesday night, killing 10 insurgents including the notorious Pakistani Taliban commander Sayed Sajna," the official told Xinhua but declined to be identified, saying authorized officials would brief the media later.

Meanwhile, Jawed Joshan, the governor of Ali Shir district, when approached by Xinhua, said that U.S. drone targeted the Taliban militants in Babrak Tana area on Wednesday night, killing 10 armed insurgents on the spot and preliminary reports have confirmed that "Sayed Sajna and his Afghan friend doctor Khan are among those killed in the air strike."

The retive Ali Shir district has border with Pakistan's tribal area of Karam agency and militants often cross the border.

Some Afghan media outlet also reported on Thursday the killing of Pakistani Taliban commander Sayed Sajna along with 10 others, and injuring of 20 more militants in Ali Shir district of Khost province on Wednesday.

Afghan Taliban militants who have brotherly relations with their Pakistani counterparts have yet to make comment.