MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 Taliban militants have been killed and 13 others wounded following airstrikes in Afghanistan's northern province of Faryab, the country's Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

The strikes were launched by Afghan Air Force in Dawlat Abad district on Wednesday, the ministry said in a statement.

Those among the killed militants were three divisional commanders of militants' Sara Keta or Red Unit named Mullah Khalid, Mohammad Rasoul and Mullah Niyaz, the statement added.

The strikes aimed at disrupting insurgents' activities in northern provinces and the raids will continue until insurgents renounce violence and join government-initiated peace and reconciliation process, the statement read.

Afghan security forces, backed by the U.S.-led NATO coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past few months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the Central Asian country.

The militant group has yet to respond to the report.