GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan provincial government spokesman said on Saturday that a so-called Taliban chief for Gilan district of eastern Ghazni province had been killed following a coalition forces' air-raid.

"The airstrike was launched late on Friday night in Gilan district, resulting in the death of Muheb Ahmad, known as Shal, a Taliban designated district chief and one of the militants local commander named Mohammad Pazir," spokesman Aref Noori told Xinhua.

The Afghan security forces and NATO-led coalition forces have stepped up security operations against militants recently as the Taliban has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the Central Asian country.

The militant group has yet to respond to the report.