2 Taliban commanders among 17 killed in Afghanistan

Security forces backed by fighting planes have killed 17 militants including two commanders and wounded 13 others in Shahrak district of Afghanistan's western Ghor province, said an army statement release here Saturday.

Taliban militants, according to the statement, launched massive offensives on the checkpoints of army in Shahrak district in the wee hours of Saturday and the forces backed by fighting planes retaliated, killing 17 insurgents including notorious commanders Mawlawi Hasamudin and Mawlawi Sharaf on the spot.

Thirteen more militants were injured, some in critical conditions, the statement contended.

Without providing details on the possible casualties of security personnel, the statement said that the security forces would continue to strike the insurgents.

The Taliban outfit has yet to make comment.