Air strikes against militants in northwest Afghanistan claimed the lives of Taliban commander and their men, police said on Monday.

"US military's air strikes against Taliban insurgents in Balamurghab district of Badghis province Sunday night left 10 Taliban fighters dead including their commander Mawlawi Ghulam Dastgir," regional police chief Ikramudin Yawar told Xinhua.

He also added Mullah Baz Mohammad the deputy to Dastgir was also?killed in the attack.

Dastgir who had carried out deadly attack against Afghan troops in last November and killed over a dozen soldiers was a wanted man.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)