KABUL, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and NATO soldiers killed at least 60 Taliban insurgents in Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan, the provincial governor Akram Khpalwak told Xinhua on Sunday.

    The troops killed the militants in Barmal district bordering Pakistan in an operation on Saturday, he said.

    Khpalwak said perhaps more militants had been killed as the Taliban took away some bodies, adding some foreign insurgents were among the killed.

    NATO air forces were called during the conflict. The troops seized 20 heavy machine guns, some AK47 submachine guns and some ammunition, he said.

    He said four Afghan and four NATO soldiers were injured.

    Meanwhile, Afghan troops also arrested two militants, who were planting roadside bombs, in another district in the province on Saturday, the governor said. But he did not mention the district's name.

    Paktika and some other eastern provinces have been hotbeds of Taliban and other insurgents, who clash with government and foreign forces frequently.

    Due to rising Taliban-linked violence this year, Afghanistan has plunged into the worst spate of bloodshed since the Taliban regime was toppled down nearly five years ago.

    Over 2,700 people, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in this volatile country this year.