FAIZABAD, Afghanistan, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Up to two dozen Taliban militants have been killed during cleanup operations in the northern Badakhshan province over the past two days, spokesman for provincial government, Nawed Frotan said Saturday.
"A total of 16 Taliban rebels have been killed in Ragistan district and eight others in the neighboring Darayem district since early Friday," Frotan told Xinhua.
The official, however, avoided commenting to possible casualties of security personnel, by saying the security forces are capable enough to pursue and target the militants elsewhere in the province.
Taliban militants who are active in parts of Badakhshan province are yet to make comment on the situation there.
Badakhshan province with Faizabad as its capital 315 km northeast of Kabul has been the scene of Taliban-led increasing militancy over the past couple of years.
