Afghan forces kill 15 Taliban militants

Afghan forces backed by US-led foreign troops have killed at least 15 Taliban militants and detained five others during a cleanup operation in central-eastern province of Logar, Press TV reports.

Afghan officials say the militants were killed in large-scale security operations performed in the Sorkhab area of Mohammad Agha district of Logar Province.

The officials, however, did not mention whether there were any casualties on the side of Afghan or foreign forces.

In late April, the Taliban announced the start of their annual “spring offensive” against US-led and Afghan forces, vowing a new wave of attacks across Afghanistan.

The militant group said it would use “every possible tactic” to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces. They specifically mentioned insider and bomb attacks.

The announcement prompted the Afghan authorities to beef up security in major cities across the country, including the capital city of Kabul.

Meanwhile US-led foreign forces have killed thousands of people, including many civilians, in airstrikes and night raids since they invaded the country in 2001.

Washington claims it targets Taliban militants, but civilians are often the victims of such attacks.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.