[Quqnoos] At least 15 Taliban militants were killed and a dozen more were wounded Monday in northern Baghlan province, an official said.The provincial police force launched an massive operation in Baghlan-e Markazi district, 30 km north of the provincial capital, Pul-e Khumri, where two locals have been killed and two others were wounded, Baghlan police chief, Gen Abdul Rahman Sayed Khaili said.
The provincial police chief added the fighting burst out after the Taliban militants were collecting money as 'Islamic tax -- ten percent of income' from the villagers.
A local Jehadi commander, Mohammad Jalil, said around 20 locals and police were wounded in the gun-fire. They have been taken to a district hospital, he said.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said they have killed three policemen captured three more in the gun-fire. He confirmed the injuries of only two Taliban fighters.
Baghlan operation last almost 14 hours, leaving high-level casualties, an unusual incident in the relatively stable northern region of the country. The provincial police chief said the militants have removed their fellows' dead bodies and wounded fighters from the villages.
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