Twenty Taliban militants, including two rebel commanders, were killed in fighting with security forces in Afghanistan, Xinhua reported on Thursday.
Over a dozen militants were also detained in the overnight operation in northeastern Takhar province, spokesman for the provincial administration Faiz Mohammad Tawhidi said.
The operation was carried out by the Afghan forces backed by Nato-led troops. "The combined forces conducted overnight operation against Taliban hideouts in Darquad and Yangi Qala districts on Wednesday night, killing some 20 militants," Tohidi told Xinhua.
He added that rebel commanders Mawlawi Jawadullah and Malawi Nazikmir were killed during the operation.