NATO forces in Afghanistan have killed al Qaeda's second highest-ranking leader in the country.

Officials say Sakhr al-Taifi and another al Qaeda terrorist were killed Sunday in an airstrike in the Kunar province near the Pakistan border. No civilians were harmed in the attack.

Al-Taifi commanded foreign insurgents in Afghanistan, directing attacks against NATO and Afghan forces.

He frequently traveled between Afghanistan and Pakistan, carrying out commands from senior al Qaeda leadership and ferrying weapons and fighters.

Most of al Qaeda's senior leaders are now believed to be based in Pakistan, where they fled following the U.S. invasion, and maintain only a nominal presence in Afghanistan.