At least 11 Taliban militants have been killed during a joint operation conducted by Afghan and foreign forces in Zurmat district of Paktia province, an official said on Thursday.

Provincial governor spokesman Abdullah Hasrat told Ariana News that Afghan special forces conducted an operation in Koti Khail area of Zurmat district on Monday night.
He added that foreign forces conducted airstrikes in support of the Afghan forces in which at least 11 Taliban fighters were killed.
The Taliban insurgent group has not made a comment about the report.
In a separate incident on Thursday, at least four soldiers were killed in a mine blast in Paktia province.
Local residents claimed that six soldiers were killed after a roadside bomb hit a vehicle of Afghan forces in Hassan Khail area of Patan district.
However, provincial police spokesman Sardar Wali Tabasom told Ariana News that four Afghan Border Police soldiers have lost their lives in the incident