Taliban commanders and militants received heavy casualties in Balkh province

The 209th Shaheen Corps of the Afghan Military in the North in a statement said at least 8 Taliban militants were killed and 5 others were wounded during the airstrikes and armed clashes which took place at around 1:20 pm local time in Chematal district.

The statement further added that a similar clash took place between the security forces and Taliban in Tawa Village of Shulagara district leaving 8 militants dead including their commander Mullah Faiz Ur Rahman. The dead bodies of two militants were left in the area.

According to 209th Shaheen Corps, at least 13 militants also sustained injuries during the same clashes and one of their commanders Mullah Hafeez is also among those wounded.

The Afghan forces also confiscated a Ak-47 rifle, a rocket launcher and three motorcycles following the clashes, the 209th Shaheen Corps added in its statement.