The government forces have killed five Taliban insurgents in the northern Jauzjan province over the past 24 hours, army spokesman Nasratullah Jamshidi said on Sunday.

The operation which was launched Saturday and covered Aqcha and Manjagak districts, according to the spokesman, would last until the area is cleared of insurgents.

A Taliban shadowy judge Mawlawi Abdul Rahman is also among those killed during the operation and two more militants have been arrested, the spokesman said.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Jauzjan province have not commented on the claims.