Afghan National Security Forces and the international troops, in a joint operation in Chardara district of northern Kunduz province, eliminated 13 Taliban insurgents and wounding over a dozen others, spokesman of Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Operation dubbed Uqab or Eagle was launched on July 18 and 13 insurgents have been killed and 12 others sustained injuries so far," General Zahir Azimi told a press conference here.

German Defense Ministry, according to media report, was deploying heavy weapons including tanks in its largest offensive against Taliban.

Moreover, Germany's most senior military officer General Wolfgang Schneiderhan said on Wednesday that some 300 German soldiers took part in the offensive with 800-strong Afghan security forces and some 100 police.

Germany has over 3,600 troops in northern Afghanistan to help Afghan government to ensure peace and order in this part of post- Taliban country.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2009)