Afghan officials say the Taleban's military commander in Afghanistan, Mullah Dadullah, has been killed in fighting in the south of the country.
His body was taken to the southern city of Kandahar after a joint operation by Afghan and Western forces, according to an Afghan intelligence spokesman.

Nato's mission in Afghanistan has not so far confirmed the report.

Officials say Mullah Dadullah's body is now being taken to Kandahar as proof that he has been killed.

Previous reports of his death or capture have proved not to be true.

He had recently told the BBC that he had hundreds of suicide bombers awaiting his orders to launch a massive offensive against foreign troops in the country.

Suicide bombings in Afghanistan have soared since late 2005.

Dadullah has also been linked to several recent kidnappings in southern Afghanistan.