KABUL: Nato forces say they have killed a former Guantanamo detainee who was a ''key affiliate of the al-Qaeda network'' in an overnight raid in eastern Afghanistan.

Nato says Sabar Lal Melma organised attacks in eastern Kunar province and helped fund insurgent operations.

The military alliance says he was in contact with senior al-Qaeda members in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Troops surrounded Melma's house in Jalalabad city on Friday night.

Nato spokesman Capt. Justin Brockhoff says Melma came out of the building holding an AK-47 assault rifle and was killed. Several other people were detained.

A guard at Melma's house named Mohammad Gul says Melma was released from Guantanamo about four years ago.