QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, March. 8 (Xinhua) -- As many as 11 militants loyal to the Taliban group were killed and eight others wounded following military operations in Afghanistan's western Badghis province, Jamshid Shahabi, the provincial governor's spokesman said Friday.

Afghan forces launched a series of military operations early Friday morning, killing 11 insurgents and wounding eight others in two restive Muqar and Pushta Laman districts of Badghis province, Shahabi added.

Three soldiers were also killed and two others wounded in the gun battle lasting for two hours, Shahabi confirmed.