Seven Taliban fighters including a mine maker were confirmed dead as fighting aircraft targeted Taliban hideouts in Andar and Gero districts of the restive Ghazni province on Saturday, provincial government spokesman Aref Nuri said Sunday.

Taliban militia attacked the town form various directions and the sound of gunfire echoed outside the city.

 Reacting to Taliban’s announcement of their spring offensive, NATO’s Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan on Saturday said the rebels chose war over peace and the alliance was also ready to fight them.

Taliban militants in Afghanistan on Saturday launched a multi-pronged attack against government interests across the country as part of its annual spring offensive, resulting in dozens of deaths.

Fighting in Afghanistan has escalated ahead of the usual spring season, as both sides seek to increase leverage in talks on a peace settlement - a gamble that analysts warn could also risk hardening positions.