Kabul, Dec 27 

Afghan army special forces Friday launched an operation in the country's eastern province in which eight Taliban insurgents were killed, authorities said.

The operation was carried out in Laghman province, a provincial government spokesman said.

"Afghan National Army commandos carried out a special operation in Alishing district. As a result, eight anti-government elements were killed, one wounded and four others were arrested during the raid which took place early Friday morning," spokesman Sarhadi Zwak told Xinhua.

Five local Taliban leaders Khoshhal, Matin, Sayyed Mohammad, Hijrrat and Enham were among those who were killed, Xinhua reported citing the official.

They were responsible for planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and laying ambush attacks against security forces in Alishing, 90 km east of the country's national capital Kabul, the report said.

The Taliban insurgent group had yet not made any comments.

The war-torn country is due to take over the responsibility of its own security from foreign troops by the end of next year.

By:IANS