At least 110 Taliban insurgents were killed in Afghan air and ground force attacks in Musa Qala district of southern Helmand province on Friday, the Afghan National Army's 215th Maiwand Corps based in southern Helmand said in a statement.

In addition, 26 other Taliban insurgents including their commanders were injured in the operations.

The incident comes after Afghan security forces launched clearing operations in Musa Qala and foreign air forces targeted the insurgents in which 110 insurgents were killed, the statement said.

More troops have however been sent to Musa Qala from Kabul and the operation still continues to clear the insurgents, it said.

Helmand provincial council said this comes after a week-long clash between the Taliban and troops in the area.

On Wednesday some officials claimed the district had fallen into the hands of the Taliban. However, other officials rejected this but did confirm that heavy clashes were ongoing in the area.
The Taliban has not yet commented.

Musa Qala was once a key stronghold for the Taliban – an area used for training camps and drug smuggling operations.