Key Taliban in kidnapping reported slain

Afghan forces said they killed a Taliban commander who played a key role in the kidnapping of 23 aid workers.

Mullah Mateen was killed along with 16 other militants in the central province of Ghazni, where the insurgents seized the South Koreans on July 19, said Deputy Gov. Kazim Allayar. Two of the hostages were killed and the others were released.

Allayar said another Taliban leader also wanted in the abduction, Mullah Abdullah Jan, remained at large.

Purported Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi said seven fighters were killed in the clash. He said the Taliban did not have a commander called Mullah Mateen.