14 Taliban militants killed in northern Afghan provinces

At least 14 Taliban militants were killed and nine others wounded in two Afghanistan's northern provinces, authorities said on Monday.

"Six terrorist were killed and five others wounded following an Afghan National Army (ANA) cleanup operation in Yangi Qala district of Takhar province on Sunday," Afghan Defense Ministry tweeted.

In neighboring Kunduz province, eight militants were killed and four others wounded after Afghan army and intelligence agency operatives launched an operation in Aqtash district, district Governor Aziz Ullah told Xinhua.

Those among the dead were two Taliban divisional commanders named Mawlawi Zulmai and Qari Najeb, he said.

Afghan and the NATO and U.S.-led coalition forces continued in mopping-up operations as spring and summer known as fighting season is drawing near in the mountainous country.

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than 17 years, has yet to make comments.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)