KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- At least seven Taliban militants were killed during fierce clashes with security forces in eastern Afghan province of Paktika on Monday morning, the command of Afghan special forces said.

"A unit of Afghan National Defense and Security Forces was on a routine patrol in Sar Hawza district, Paktika province Monday morning. The security forces received hostile fire from insurgents. They returned fire in self defense and killed seven Taliban militants," Afghan National Army Special Operations Corps (ANASOC) said in a statement.

Many weapons and ammunition depots of the militants were also destroyed after the clashes ended in the province, 155 km south of the country's capital, Kabul, the statement added.

There were no casualties on the security forces and civilian sides during the engagement.

Fighting rages across the war-torn country and clashes between security forces and Taliban have been continuing in at least 25 of the country's 34 provinces since April 12 when Taliban launched a yearly rebel offensive.

The Taliban often starts the offensive in spring as the season is locally branded as the fighting time of the year.

The Taliban has not made comment yet. Enditem

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