Afghan forces kill 16 Taliban militants in Paktika: police

SHARAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan Special Operation Forces killed 16 Taliban militants in eastern province of Paktika overnight, local police said Friday.

"During the raid which took place in Gayan district, bordering Pakistan, an additional six Taliban were captured," provincial police spokesman, Shah Mohammad Aryan, told Xinhua, adding the security force unit raided a Taliban hideout in Stair Gayan area of the district.

Among those militants killed was Chamto Khan, who served as Taliban shadow district governor for Gayan, he noted.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up military operations against militants as the Taliban militants and Islamic State (IS) fighters are attempting to take territory and consolidate their positions ahead of winter in the mountainous country.

The Taliban insurgent group, which has been waging an insurgency of more than 16 years, has yet to make comments. Enditem