The Afghan army has waged an offensive in Dangam district of eastern Kunar province, where has been the scene of fierce clashes within the past 10 days, an army source said on Monday.

"The Afghan National Army (ANA) carried out a fresh operation early Monday morning in Dangam district," spokesman of Army Corps 201 Sylab, Harron Yousufzai, told Xinhua.

About 12 militants were killed and 13 others wounded after the army personnel made progress in the mountainous district, bordering Pakistan, the spokesman added.

The Taliban insurgent group has launched attacks on the district headquarters' surrounding areas and villages over the past 10 days, in apparent coordinated efforts to take the control of the district, according to local residents.

The offensive is part of a larger operation as the army and border police forces are trying to reach the remote areas and support the local security forces as well as government-backed local militia or uprising fighters, Yousufzai said, adding "the army specialists are working to defuse roadside bombs and landmines recently planted by militants at the areas, as part of the operation."

"The militants have blown up bridges, they planted landmines on the roads. Our government-backed uprising groups are fighting the Taliban in villages, but they are in lack of food and weapons," a local leader Muzamen told Xinhua.

At least five security forces and about six local residents had been killed since clashes began, according to Muzamen.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.

The Taliban has intensified attacks over the past couple of months as the NATO and U.S. forces are withdrawing from the country. The war-torn country is due to take over the responsibility for its own security from foreign troops by the end of this year.

The U.S. and NATO-led troops will switch from combat to support role -- NATO-led Resolute Support mission, which will focus on training, advising and assisting Afghan forces by the end of this month, and nearly 13,000 foreign forces will be involved in the mission next year. Endi

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