More than 33 Taliban fighters have been killed in the southern province of Zabul following first three days of clashes with Afghan and US-led special forces.
A US military spokesman Colonel Rodney Davis told reporters in Kabul that at least 33 rebels had been killed in the fighting this week.
As the operation to hunt down hundreds of guerrillas from the ousted Islamic regime entered its sixth day, provincial intelligence chief Mr Khalil Hotak said at least 12 rebels had been killed in yesterday's action, and eight captured.
"The operation is ongoing," he said from Zabul. "Enemy forces are surrounded between Tangi Larzab and Chinaran," he added, referring to locations in the Dai Chopan district of Zabul province where fighting has concentrated.
Afghan officials claim well over 100 Taliban losses during the week, many of them killed by US and allied fighter jets and attack helicopters which have been called in daily to support Afghan troops and US special forces on the ground.