A key Taliban commander, Zarqawi, and eight of his armed men were killed in airstrikes in Afghanistan's eastern Nangarhar province, 120 km east of Kabul, police said Tuesday.
"Acting upon intelligence reports, the security forces carried out airstrikes in Sorkot area of Shirzad district late last (Monday) night, killing nine insurgents including notorious commander Zarqawi," Xinhua quoted provincial police spokesman Hazrat Hussain Mashriqiwal as telling reporters in provincial capital Jalalabad.
The elimination of Zarqawi is a major blow to Taliban militants in Nangarhar and the neighbouring provinces of Kunar and Nuristan, the official added.
Zarqawi, according to locals, besides being involved in organising roadside and suicide bombings, also beheaded his targets if captured.
