Dozens of Taliban fighters were killed in ‘fierce’ overnight fighting between Afghan forces and militants who attacked multiple checkpoints in the ‘insurgent bastion’ of Kandahar, officials said Sunday, AFP reported.

According to a statement given by the ministry of defence, as per AFP reports, Taliban militants attacked checkpoints in five districts surrounding the city of Kandahar. Afghan forces were quick to respond, countering with heavy air and ground assaults. 

“The security forces repulsed the attack, killing 51 terrorists and wounding nine,” the ministry reportedly said.

Seven members of a family were also killed in an Afghan air strike in one of the districts, a local official, wishing to stay anonymous, reportedly told AFP.

“The Afghan air force wanted to target a car filled with explosives… when they hit the car it detonated and caused civilian fatalities,” he said.

The ministry of defence said it was investigating the incident, as per AFP reports.

The province of Kandahar, located in the southern part of Afghanistan, is the birthplace of the militant Islamist movement, and over the past few weeks attacks have been launched in districts on the outskirts of the city of Kandahar, the provincial capital.

Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, has also reportedly seen several deadly attacks claimed by the jihadist group in recent months, including a rocket attack on Saturday that killed one civilian.

The surge in violence comes as the Taliban and Afghan government engage in peace talks. Negotiations between the two reportedly started on the 12th of September but are on pause till January 5.