NATO says a joint Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban commander who was the target of an earlier operation in which 38 troops were killed in a helicopter crash.

The alliance says Qari Tahir was killed in an air strike Tuesday in Wardak province in central Afghanistan.

NATO says Tahir was the Taliban's top leader in Tangi Valley and the target of the August 5 operation that led to the loss of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter.

The crash killed 38 people including 30 US troops, mostly special forces.

The insurgents responsible for shooting down the helicopter were killed days later in an airstrike.

NATO says Tahir was responsible for coordinating attacks against Afghan fighters as well as kidnappings for ransom and hijacking of convoy vehicles. The statement says he also known to use roadside bombs and rockets to intimidate the local population.