GHAZNI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least nine militants have been killed and 15 others arrested as government forces targeted Taliban hideouts in Dehyak district of the eastern Ghazni province on Saturday, spokesman for provincial government Aref Nuri said Sunday.

The operation, according to the official, was launched in Sulimanzai village where a gathering of Taliban insurgents was underway, killing 14 insurgents on the spot.

After the attack, the security forces arrested 15 suspected insurgents and sent them to concerned authorities for investigation.

Meantime, Taliban unseen spokesman Zabihullah Majahid in contact with media has confirmed the operations but said all those killed in the raids were civilians, a claim rebuffed by Nuri, saying all the 14 persons killed during the operations were Taliban fighters.