PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Twelve militants loyal to Taliban outfit were killed and seven others wounded in an operation launched by Afghan forces to retake Tala-o-Barfak district from militants, in the country's northern Baghlan province, an official said Thursday.

"Afghan security forces launched Navid 6 operation, supported by Afghan army air-force, to retake Tala-o-Barfak district from militants, killing 12 militants and injuring seven others," Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen based in the region, told Xinhua.

He said some strategic sites of the district have been recaptured, but the Taliban fighters have blown up the roads extending to the conflict area, making the operation go on slowly.

During the clashes the security forces have not suffered casualties, he said.

On May 8, Taliban militants took full control of Tala-o-Barfak after launching a wide offensive.

The militant group fighting government forces has not commented on the report.