The Ministry of Defence said a Taliban militants suffered heavy casualties during clashes with the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) in Khost and Takhar on Friday.

A Taliban attack on army positions in the Dowa Mendi and Sur Kali areas in Musa Khel district of Khost province was intercepted by the ANDSF, who were supported by the air force.
The 203rd Thunder Corps said at least 18 Taliban were killed, including military commanders such as Shamsullah Shahin, Qiyamuddin Ahmadi, Jannattullah, and Ahmad Rasul.
Another 11 Taliban members were wounded during the operations.

The militants had been trying to plant mines to destroy the road connecting Musa Khel to the provincial capital.
The ANDSF seized a Toyota Pick Up, a mortar bomb, an M2 machine gun, and a vehicle-borne Improvised Explosive Device, and successfully defused the bombs.
In Takhar province, Taliban had prepared to attack ANDSF positions in the Baharak district, last night.
The ANDSF intercepted this attack and 9 Taliban fighters were killed and 3 others, including a commander, were wounded.
The Taliban is yet to comment on the incident.