Dozens Of Afghan Militants Reported Killed, Injured

LOGAR, Afghanistan -- Afghan officials say 23 Taliban militants have been killed and another 26 wounded during a two-day military operation that ended late on March 26 in the eastern province of Logar.

Provincial deputy police chief Khan Abdul Rahimzai told RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan that the operation in the village of Sajwan was conducted by Afghan and NATO-led international forces.

Rahimzai said more than 40 militants were captured during the operation in Logar, a volatile province where the Taliban has a relatively strong presence.

Other local officials said five civilians, including a woman and four children, were also killed during the operation.

In an e-mail to the media, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the deaths of only 12 Taliban fighters and put the number of civilian casualties at 28.