Afghan special forces have killed two Taliban militants, including a Taliban shadow district chief, in eastern province of Nangarhar, provincial government said on Sunday.

"Special Operation Forces of National Security Directorate (NDS) conducted an operation to arrest a Taliban local leader named Shir Zaman in Muhmand Dara district Saturday night. Upon arrival of the security forces, the militants engaged with the troops, leading to armed clashes," the government said in a statement.

Shir Zaman, who served as shadow Taliban chief of neighboring Lal Pur district, was killed along with one of his subordinates during the exchanges of fire, the statement said.

The NDS is the country's primary intelligence agency.

Two armed militants were arrested by the security forces and identity and linkages of the arrestees are being investigated, the statement added.

The security forces and civilians have not suffered any damage in the stand-off, the statement said, adding amount of weapons, ammunition and narcotic drugs were destroyed after the raid.

Afghan security forces, backed by the NATO-led coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions during the winter in the mountainous country.

The militant group has not made a comment on the report so far.

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