[Quqnoos] At least 11 Taliban militants and two Afghan police were killed in clashes in north-western Afghanistan, officials said Monday.Afghan and NATO-led troops launched an overnight operation in Bala Morghab district, a Taliban stronghold, killing eight militants, said Badghes Police Chief, Sayed Ahmad Saami.
He said the foreign and Afghan troops were unharmed in the clash.
In a separate gun-battle in the neighbouring district of Qhadis, two Afghan policemen were killed and three others had gone missing, the Police Chief said.
Three militants were also killed when police returned fire, he further added.
Meantime, locals said that air strikes against Taliban hideouts in Bala Morghab district claimed the lives of three civilians and injured four others. But Mr Sami declined to make a comment.
Taliban have not made an immediate comment over the casualties.
The operation in Bala Morghab is on-going, according to officials.