Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan

A Taliban leader has been killed during a security operation in Afghanistan's Helmand province, Xinhua reported on Sunday.

A statement issued by NATO-led coalition forces said: "An Afghan and coalition security force killed Taliban direct action cell leader Zafran during a security operation in Helmand province Saturday."

It is believed he was responsible for conducting improvised explosive device (IED) and ambush-style attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

"Prior to his death he was preparing future IED attacks on combined forces," the statement added.