KABUL, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have stepped up pressure on Taliban outfit in the northern provinces as 10 militants have been killed and 12 others captured in a single day on Sunday, officials said.

In crackdown on militants, the government forces attacked Taliban positions in Sayad district of the northern Sari Pul province early Sunday, killing 10 militants and injuring five others, provincial government spokesman Zabihullah Amani has confirmed.

Amani has also confirmed that the fighting had left seven security personnel dead and five others sustained injuries.

The Taliban militants, the official asserted have fled the area.

Similarly, the government forces in operations against Taliban fighters in Khawja Sabzposh district of the northern Faryab province have captured 10 armed insurgents including two local commanders Mullah Azatullah and Mullah Gul Ahmad, said a statement of National Directorate for Security or the country's spy agency.

Two more Taliban militants who were in charge of target killing in the northern Kunduz province were arrested in the provincial capital Kunduz city on Sunday, deputy to provincial police chief Safiullah Mahzon told Xinhua.

Afghan forces, according to the security officials, would continue to keep on pressure on anti-government militants in the chilly winter to reduce the military capabilities of the militant groups before spring which is known as fighting season in Afghanistan.