QALA-E-NAW, Afghanistan, March 16 (Xinhua) -- More than 50 militants have been killed and scores of others injured in Bala Murghab district of Afghanistan's western Badghis province over the past 24 hours, said a statement released by the army on Saturday.

Government forces in the crackdown against militants, according to the statement, have used aircraft and artillery since Friday and so far 51 armed insurgents had been killed.

The statement didn't provide more details and Taliban militants haven't commented yet.

Meanwhile, local news agency Pajhwok reported that the Taliban had tightened the noose around Bala Murghab district.