KABUL: Afghan forces backed by U.S. forces on Sunday killed two senior Taliban leaders and around 38 fighters in joint airstrikes in the northern and western regions of Afghanistan, international media reports said.

The strikes were aimed at foiling Taliban attacks on Afghan forces, according to a senior security official in capital Kabul.

Recent clashes have escalated after the collapse of diplomatic talks between the U.S. and the Taliban.

According to the Afghan defense ministry, Mawlavi Nooruddin, the Taliban’s designate governor for northern Samangan province was killed in the strike.

The Taliban, however, has denied the report.

“He (Nooruddin) is alive,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman said that Nooruddin is slive. (Agencies)