At least 18 Taliban militants including top commanders were killed during a joint military operation in northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan.

Local security officials said the militants were killed during military operations conducted on Saturday in Faizabad district.

The officials further added at least 7 Taliban militants were also injured and 9 others were arrested along with the weapons and explosives.

In the meantime provincial security chief Gen. Syed Zamanuddin Hussaini said three high level Taliban leaders including Sadruddin Ishan, Mawlavi Ismail and Syed Hashim were also killed along with ten other militants during the operations which was backed by close air support.

Local residents in Koh Kaldash area also confirmed the death of senior Taliban leader Sadruddin Shah and said that he was involved behind attack on Afghan national directorate of security (NDS) forces last year, which left 10 intelligence officers dead.

However Taliban group denied the reports and said only 8 Taliban militants were killed during the operations.

A spokesman for the Taliban group Zabiullah Mujahid said at least 15 Afghan and coalition security forces were killed and 8 others were injured during clashes with the Taliban fighters.