Taliban militants captured the mountainous Barg-e-Matal district in Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan province after a fierce clash with police, a private television channel Tolo reported Sunday.

Citing provincial governor Jamaludin Badar, the television reported that police had retreated Saturday, allowing militants to overrun Barg-e-Matal district.

He also said that Taliban insurgents had set on fire several houses and begun harassing locals after capturing Barg-e-Matal district.

The governor of Nuristan province on Friday asked for reinforcing police to repel the Taliban attack.

This is the third time that Barg-e-Matal district has been changed hand to hand over the past couple of months.

In talks with media via telephone form an undisclosed location, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Taliban fighters captured Barg-e-Matal district late Saturday night.