KABUL, Afghanistan, April 6 (UPI) — A top Taliban official has been killed in a joint military operation in eastern Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition security forces said.
Haji Matin, the highest-ranking Taliban official in the Darah-ye Pech district, and another insurgent were killed in a clash in Kunar province, Khaama Press reported Saturday.
Matin was “personally responsible for moving insurgent fighters into Afghanistan and directing their activities in Kunar province,” NATO’s International Security Assistance Force said in a statement.
He controlled a “significant number” of fighters responsible for killing civilians, attempted assassinations of Afghan security force officials and attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, ISAF said.
In a separate operation, ISAF said Afghan and coalition forces seized large amounts of explosives, weapons and Taliban propaganda materials in Kapisa province. An insurgent was killed in the clash as Afghan forces attempted an arrest.
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