The Taliban have rejected claims by the Afghan Ministry of the Interior that at least 46 of their fighters have been killed and wounded in a 24-hour military operation.
The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that 46 Taliban fighters had been killed, 10 wounded and 26 arrested in an operation across eight provinces.
"Taliban terrorists have suffered these casualties in military operations [conducted by] Afghan national forces," the statement read.
The military operations were conducted in Ningrahar, Kandahar, Zabul, Logar, Paktia, Helmand, Sar-e-Pul and Paktika provinces, and weapons and ammunitions were also confiscated by national forces, the ministry said. There were reportedly no civilian casualties.
However, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, said in a statement: "The frustrated administration of Interior Ministry has once again issued a false report."
- Rise in Taliban attacks
Haji Ismail Khan, a tribal leader and resident of the Zeri district of Kandahar, said that he had seen Afghan security forces during a military operation in his district.
He said: "There were Afghan National Army and police forces having activities here, but I do not know about casualties."
"We haven't heard if any civilians were wounded or killed in the operation."
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 before being ousted by US-led forces.
US troops are scheduled to withdraw from the country by the end of 2014.
The Taliban has recently stepped up attacks on government and foreign forces and their facilities.
By Zubair Babakarkhail - Anadolu Agency
englishnews@aa.com.tr
