Afghan fighting kills 8 militants in northern Balkh province

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants were killed as the security forces backed by fighting planes struck Taliban hideouts in parts of Charbolak district in northern Balkh province, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Monday.

In the crackdown which began Sunday morning and covered several villages, 15 more militants were wounded, the official asserted.

No security personnel and civilians were harmed, the official further said.

The security forces would continue to chase militants elsewhere in the Balkh and adjoining provinces, Rezai said.

Taliban militants who are operational in parts of Balkh and the neighboring Jawzjan and Sari Pul provinces haven't commented.