217 Taliban fighters have been killed in the past 24 hours in nine provinces

The Ministry of National Defense reports that 217 Taliban fighters have been killed in the last 24 hours in 11 provinces of the country.

The ministry said in a statement that the Taliban fighters had been killed in clashes and counter-attacks by defense and security forces.

The ministry also said that 108 fighters of the group were wounded as a result of the clashes.

According to the ministry newsletter, Taliban fighters were killed and wounded in Nangarhar, Ghazni, Farah, Herat, Faryab, Balkh, Helmand, Kunduz and Kapisa provinces.

The ministry also said in another newsletter that a prominent Taliban commander and eight of his entourage had been killed in Balkh province.

According to newsletter, a Taliban commander and eight of his entourage were killed last night in air strikes in the Pul-e-Imambakri and Kudbarq areas of Balkh province.

The Taliban have not yet commented.