Pakistani Taliban commander killed in air strike

A senior commander of the Pakistani Taliban group has been killed in security forces' air strikes in Khyber tribal region, the group's spokesman said Monday.
Pakistani fighter jets bombed positions of the militant groups in parts of Khyber agency and killed 13 militants on Sunday, the military says.
"In precise aerial strikes in Aka Khel Tirah, Khyber agency, 10 terrorist hideouts and an ammunition depot were destroyed, killing 13 terrorists including an important terrorist commander known for training of suicide bombers," an army statement said late on Sunday.
Two suicide bombers also included among those killed.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ul-Ahrar said Monday that its commander Abu Jandal was killed in Khyber agency bombing.
Abd Jandal belonged to Mohmand tribal agency, the group's spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan said.
The security forces opened a new front against the "Lashkar-e- Islam" group, blamed for attacks on forces and tribal elders, in Khyber agency along the Afghan border.
Khyber agency stands on a key supply route for the U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan and the government is keen to make it secure for the withdrawal of heavy machinery of foreign troops.
Dozens of militants have been killed and their hideouts destroyed in operation codenamed "Khyber 1."
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has also announced support for the Lashkar-e-Islam and the group's chief Maulvi Fazalullah said he has asked his fighters to join the fighting.
The Taliban splinter Jamaat-ul-Ahrar also says it has sent 50 fighters to help the Lashkar-e-Islam.
"Some of the TTP fighters have already been sent to Khyber Agency and others should wait for further instructions. They should equip themselves with arms," the TTP chief, Maulvi Fazalullah said in an audio message sent to the Pakistani media.
Security officials described TTP's statement as a propaganda stunt and said the militants are on the run.