Kabul  - Afghan interior ministry claimed on Saturday that their forces killed more than 100 Taliban insurgents including five rebel commanders in an operation in which they took control of a Taliban-held town in western region.

The operation to retake Bakwa district in south-western province of Farah started on late Thursday, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary said.

"More than 100 Taliban militants including five of their commanders were killed in operation, which was still ongoing and was led by Afghan police and army soldiers," Bashary said.

He said forces entered the centre of district on Friday, pushing back hundreds of fighters from the main town.

Afghan forces captured the town around eight months after the militants overran the district and held sway there.

Afghan forces also retook the control of Shaidan district in southern Ghazni province on Friday after the Taliban militants swept through the district, taking hostage the district governor and eight police officers.

Taliban stormed Shaidan district on late Thursday night and then fled the area after burning governmental buildings and vehicles. (dpa)