LOC18:50
15:50 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- At least 56 Taliban militants have been killed and around 50 others wounded in operations and air strikes by Afghan security forces in two provinces of Afghanistan, said officials on Sunday.
At least 36 Taliban rebels have been killed and 38 others injured during airstrikes in the Dasht-i-Arch district of Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province. A spokesman for the Commando Corps, Lt. Col. Abdul Qayyuom Nuristani told media that commando forces of 10th battalion conducted clearing operations in Dasht-i-Arch district.
He said 36 Taliban were killed and 38 others injured during the operations. He said the Qarlaq, Saifuddin poul, Etesalat Tapa, Kunduz Bandar and other areas had been cleared of the Taliban during the overnight attacks, said the official.
The Taliban have not yet spoken about the incident.
Moreover, at least 20 Taliban insurgents including a shadow district chief have been killed and 11 others wounded during an operation in Maiwand district of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province.
The spokesman for 205th Atal Military Corps, Maj. Ahmad Sadiq Isa told media that security forces conducted an air and ground operation in the district. He said the Taliban's shadow district chief, Mulla Sharif among 20 rebels, was killed and 11 others wounded.
Four vehicles, weapons and some hideouts belonging to rebels were also destroyed during the raid. He claimed that civilians and security forces suffered no casualties in the raid.
The security operations came two days after at least 30 security forces were killed in an attack on a military battalion by Taliban rebels in Afghanistan's western Farah province.
It comes at a time when United States and Russia are trying to negotiate peace in Afghanistan with Taliban to end the 17-year-long conflict. Moscow hosted a peace meeting last Friday that was attended by Taliban delegation to engage its diplomatic references for Afghan conflict resolution. (end)
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