Afghan and the U.S.-led coalition forces killed 67 Taliban militants in Paktia province of eastern Afghanistan, a senior Afghan commander told Xinhua on Saturday.

A group of insurgents attacked the forces in Chamkani district on Friday afternoon and the soldiers fought back, Murad Ali Murad said.

The forces called in air support, which killed 67 militants, he said, adding 64 assault rifles were also captured.

Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 1,400 persons, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua