Afghan troops backed by the international forces eliminated 48 suspected insurgents and injured more than 30 others in Afghanistan's northwest Badghis province, a press release of Afghan Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

"Militants raided the bastion of Border Police in Morichaq area of Murghab district Sunday and policemen encountered, as a result, 48 rebels were killed," said the press release.

In the firefight which enjoyed the support of air force of the US-led Coalition troops and lasted for four hours, 36 more insurgents were wounded, the press release further said.

It added that two Taliban commanders were also killed in the fighting but did not identify their names and ranks.

On the same day, several militants were killed in the southern Uruzgan province as the troops used small arm fire and air strikes.

Taliban militants have yet to make comments.

Spiraling conflicts and Taliban-related violence have left more than 1,500 people dead so far this year in Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency June 3, 2008)