TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Up to 50 militants have been killed and more than three dozen others sustained injuries over the past three days as government forces from the ground and air pounded Taliban positions in Baharak district of Afghanistan's northern Takhar province, provincial government spokesman Mohammad Jawad Hajari said Saturday.
"Baharak district has been cleared of the armed insurgents and the Taliban rebels pose no threats to the provincial capital Taluqan city currently," Hajari told Xinhua.
Taliban militants in a surprise move captured major parts of Baharak district some 10 days ago and were attempting to overrun Takhar's provincial capital Taluqan city.
However, the government forces in massive operations have killed 50 armed militants and killed 37 others over the past three days, forcing militants to flee to the neighboring Khawaja Ghar district, Hajari said.
The official also confirmed that three security personnel had been killed and six others wounded over the past three days of counter-militancy operations.
Hajari said that the security forces would soon launch cleanup operations in Khawaja Ghar district to ensure lasting peace there.
Taliban militants have not made comments on the situation yet.
