KABUL, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-six Taliban militants have been killed and 23 others wounded following a cleanup operation and airstrikes in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"Afghan army personnel waged a search operation backed by army air force in Shirin Tagab district, Faryab province in the past 24 hours, killing 26 terrorists and injuring 23 others," the ministry said in a statement.

A local Taliban leader, named Qari Ziauddin who is in charge of collecting taxes from local farmers and shop owners, was among the killed.

The province has been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban and security forces since late April when the Taliban launched a so-called yearly rebel offensive.

The Taliban militant group has yet to make comments on the report.?