Afghan battle leaves 16 dead, 7 injured

GHAZNI, Afghanistan - Clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban militants have left 16 dead and seven others injured in Ghazni province on Sunday, a local official said.

"Security forces launched cleanup operations in Gadakhil area of Muqar district to stabilize security on Kabul-Kandahar highway at 01:00 p.m. local time and have killed 15 militants until 04:00 p.m.local time," spokesman for Ghazni's provincial government, Shafiq Nang, told Xinhua.

One security personnel has been killed and seven others including five militants and two security personnel sustained injuries during the operations, he added.

Taliban militants after leaving 15 dead bodies behind have fled the area, he added.

The Kabul-Kandahar highway passes through Ghazni province.