Afghan and international troops killed 55 Taliban rebels in two clashes in Paktika province of eastern Afghanistan, provincial governor Akram Khapalwak said on Sunday.

Some militants attacked Afghan border troops in Barmal district on Saturday, Khapalwak said.

Afghan and international forces fought back from the ground and in the air, killing 15 insurgents, he added.

Also on Saturday, Taliban rebels attacked Afghan forces in Gilan district, the governor said, adding Afghan and international troops returned fire and killed 40 enemies.

Two Afghan soldiers were injured in the two clashes.

Due to rising Taliban-linked insurgency, over 1,300 persons, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.