At least 16 Taliban militants were killed in an operation by the Afghan security forces in the last two days in northern Balkh province, local officials said on Sunday.
Provincial police chief General Mohammad Akram Sami was quoted by TOLOnews saying that the operation, named "Walid 9" was launched in Chamtal district.
"Sixteen Taliban members were killed in the operation. Five villages have been cleared of the insurgents so far," Sami said.
Local officials said that the security operation was initiated when the Taliban militants launched an assault in Chamtal district centre.
On Friday, head of Balkh Provincial Council, Afzal Hadid told TOLOnews that the militants were planning to seize control of the area.
A senior official said that Taliban captured four villages in Chamtal district following heavy clashes with security courses on Thursday evening.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)