Gun battle kills 8 militants in eastern Afghan province

MAHMUD-E-RAQI, Afghanistan, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Clashes between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters have killed eight militants in the eastern Kapisa province on Sunday, a spokesman for the provincial government said.

Government forces backed by warplanes, according to spokesman Qais Qadiri, stormed Taliban positions in Tagab district early Sunday, triggering a gun battle, and the Taliban militants have lost ground after leaving eight bodies behind.

Speaking from the provincial capital Mahmud-e-Raqi, the spokesman said that the operation was continuing in the area without any casualties from the security forces.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the clash.