Afghan forces secure district in northern province, 20 insurgents killed

PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces after a few days of fighting was able to evict the Taliban militants from around Tala-o-Barfak district in the northern Baghlan province besides inflicting huge casualties to the militant group, an army spokesman Ghulam Hazrat Karimi said Saturday.

"At least 20 Taliban insurgents have been killed over the past six days and the rebels have fled the area," Karimi told Xinhua.

He also added that normalcy is returning to the area and the security forces are chasing the militants to ensure lasting peace in Tala-o-Barfak district and adjoining areas.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of the relatively violent Baghlan province haven't make any comment.