KABUL, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Up to 14 insurgents were killed and eight others injured since Afghan security forces launched an operation in Paktia province, east of Afghanistan on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday.

"Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANSDF) has carried out a clearance operation in Zurmat district in Paktia, killing 14 armed militants and injuring eight others," the ministry said in a statement.

The security forces also found and seized weapons, the statement said, without adding if there were any casualties on the side of security forces.

Taliban militants have yet to make comments on the report.