60 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan battle

Kabul: At least 60 Taliban militants have been killed by Afghan security forces after six days of fierce fighting in Afghanistan's Sar-e Pol province, authorities said on Sunday.

"The security forces, as a result of operations which lasted for six days, have liberated five villages with a population of more than 10,000 residents from Taliban clutches in Sancharak district," Xinhua news agency quoted provincial Governor Mohammad Zahir Wahdat as saying.

He also said that 11 security personnel were killed and 19 others sustained injuries.

During the operation, an essential road linking Sancharak to Darzab district was reopened and the Taliban, after six months of having control over the road, were dislodged from the area, Wahdat said.