US drones kill senior Taliban figure in Pakistan

An American drone strike in Pakistan has killed a top Taliban commander, Maulvi Nazir, who sent money and fighters to battle the US in Afghanistan but had a truce with the Pakistani military, officials said Thursday. Maulvi Nazir was killed when two missiles slammed into a house while he was meeting with supporters and commanders. Eight other people were killed.

The US rarely comments on its drone program, and Pentagon spokesman George Little said he could not confirm Nazir's death, but he added that if true, it would be "a significant blow" to extremist groups in the region. (AP)