Reports: Taliban leader Mullah Dadullah killed in Afghanistan

May 13, 2007 Mullah Dadullah, also known as Mullah Dadullah Akhund, a Taliban leader, radical and military commander, has been killed in southern Afghanistan after an encounter with Afghan and Allied forces, according to the Afghan government.

Saeed Ansari, an Afghan intelligence spokesman said, "Mullah Dadullah has been killed and his body is in Kandahar."

The governor of Kandahar, told Reuters: "Yes, he was killed last night and right now I have his body before me." He added that Dadullah was killed in Helmand Province.

NATO spokesperson Major John Thomas confirmed that Dadullah has been killed. "We fully expect Mullah Dadullah will be replaced in time, but for now the insurgency has received a serious blow," Thomas said.

Mullah Dadullah was frequently seen in videos with a machine gun and artillery in his clerical clothing along with his turban. However, it is known that he attended before joining the.

Last month, Mullah Dadullah gave an interview in which he said that Osama bin Laden was alive and was coordinating the activities of the Taliban. In 2005, Mullah Dadullah vowed, "The will not lay down their arms unless the Americans leave and an Islamic state is established."