Ten militants were killed as Afghan security forces launched operations against a Taliban bastion in Baghlan province on Tuesday, an official said."Up to 10 Taliban rebels have been killed and several villages have been liberated from Taliban clutch since launching the operations early Tuesday," Xinhua quoted a senior official as saying.Three Taliban militants and a soldier of the national army were injured during the operation, the official said.
The Taliban have yet to make comment.Local elders with the approval of some officials inked a ceasefire with Taliban in Dand-e-Ghori district on the outskirts of provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri five months ago.However, the majority of residents in Dand-e-Ghori and adjoining areas have complained about Taliban's harsh policies, demanding the government wipe out armed militants in the area.The official also said the operation will last till the area is cleared of militants and lasting peace returned there.