Security forces raided Taliban hideouts in northern Baghlan province eliminating five insurgents early Wednesday, provincial governor Munshi Abdul Majid said.
"The security forces with the support of helicopter gunships targeted Taliban hideouts in Joi Now and Ahmadzai villages of Dand- e-Ghori area outside provincial capital Pul-e-Khumri early this morning, leaving five Taliban rebels dead," Majid told Xinhua.
The operation, he added, was launched at 02:00 a.m. and lasted until 03:30 a.m. during which no harm had been caused to security forces and civilians.
Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid who claims to speak for Taliban outfit in talks with media via telephone from unknown location contended that five Taliban fighters and 11 Afghan and foreign soldiers were killed in the clash lasted for a few hours.
Taliban militants have intensified their activities in Baghlan and the neighboring Kunduz province sine early this year.