Local officials on Monday said 15 militants were killed during an ambush by security forces in Ab-Band district of southern Ghazni province.
Gen. Ghulam Haidar Nikpai, the 203rd Thunder Military Corps commander, told Pajhwok Afghan News the clash took place in Spin Band area of the district on Sunday night.
Another four militants were wounded during the clash and the bodies of some dead rebels were still lying at the clash site, he added.
Deputy Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi also confirmed the clash but put the number of insurgents killed at 19.
“These militants were equipped with heavy and light weapons. They wanted to cross into Qarabagh district of Ghazni, but all of them were killed during an ambush by Afghan forces,” he said.
Provincial police chief Brig. Gen. Aminullah Amarkhail confirmed clashes with militants in Qarabagh and Ab-Band districts.
Without giving exact figures, he said, a number of rebels suffered casualties and a large amount of ammunition and four bikes were seized by security forces.
A Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied clashes and militant casualties in Ghazni province.
By Saifullah Maftoon
