18 Afghan militants killed in northern Takhar province

TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces, during a cleanup operation, have killed at least 18 Taliban militants in the country's northern province of Takhar, Pamir Army Corps 217 said in a statement released here Saturday.

The operation, backed by military planes, was conducted for the last two days in the troubled Darqad district of the province, resulting in the death of at least 18 Taliban fighters and injury of 11 others, the statement said.

The government forces also cleared Norkhil village of the insurgents and destroyed three of their hideouts, during the mop-up, said the statement.

Taliban militants who in control of parts of the restive Darqad district haven't commented.