Fighting in eastern Afghanistan takes toll on Taliban

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 10 (UPI) -- A military operation in Afghanistan's Laghman province killed at least 15 Taliban militants and wounded 20 others, local officials said.

Sarhadi Swak, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said two Taliban leaders were among those killed in operations carried out by Afghan police and coalition security forces Thursday, Khaama Press reported Friday.

Swak said a local police commander also died during the fighting that lasted nearly three hours.

However, Taliban leaders said nine Afghan security forces were killed and 11 others, including a police commander, were injured. The group said four Taliban militants were killed and five others were injured.