US Forces confirmed Thursday that Taliban leader Qari Amadullah was killed during heavy fighting near the city of Wazikwa in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday.

Amadullah was killed during a firefight with Afghan National Army soldiers and paratroopers assigned to the 1st battalion, 508th (Airborne) Infantry Regiment in Paktika province, said the US-led coalition.

Amadullah was believed to have commanded some 50 Taliban fighters in the region and was thought to be in possession of a number of weapon systems, including rockets and rocket propelled grenades.

Five other militants were killed and three US service members were wounded in the clash.

"Killing this individual will significantly disrupt Taliban operations in the region," said Brig. Gen James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force-76 Deputy Commanding General.

"We hope that with his death, Amadullah's forces are able to find the courage to break with the Taliban organization and begin to reconcile with the government of Afghanistan in their efforts to rebuild this war-torn nation," he added.

US and Afghan forces were conducting operations in the area designed to kill or capture Taliban leaders.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2005)