Slain Taliban leader was Pakistan officer

KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A Taliban commander killed by British forces in Afghanistan last year was actually a Pakistani military officer, Afghan sources say.

The Taliban commander was one of six killed in the past year in Helmand province by British special forces, who allegedly discovered a Pakistani military ID on the body, The Sunday Times of London reported.

The newspaper said its sources confirmed that British officials have covered up what was the first physical evidence of covert Pakistani military operations against British forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan claims it is a close ally of the West in its war against terror.

The Times said Britain's refusal to acknowledge the incident led to an argument with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who allegedly claims London mistakenly views his country through the filter of Pakistani military intelligence. Many believe elements of the Pakistan service have been helping the Taliban.