At least seven militants have been killed as security forces launched operation against Taliban hideouts outside Aybak city, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Samangan province on Saturday, deputy to provincial Police Chief Mohammad Hussian Tahiri said Sunday.

A total of 12 militants including two foreign nationals have been killed as clean-up operations have been continuing in Arghanchkhaw district of the northern Badakhshan province, an army spokesman in the northern region, Abdul Hadi Jamal said Wednesday.