MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least five Taliban militants including their local commander were killed during the Afghan forces military operation in the northern Faryab province on Saturday, a local official said.

"Security and defense forces launched a military operation in Khawja Sabzposh district Saturday afternoon, as a result five militants were killed and nine villages cleared from insurgents," Sayed Sarwar Hussaini a police spokesman in northern region told Xinhua Sunday.

During the operation a vehicle and five motorbikes used by Taliban insurgents were also destroyed by the security forces.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.