KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 Taliban militants were killed and 11 others wounded in separate incidents in Afghanistan, authorities said Monday.

In one incident, seven Taliban were killed and 11 others wounded after clashes between Afghan army soldiers and militants erupted in Qaisar district of Afghanistan's northern Faryab province late Sunday, Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen, told Xinhua.

In the neighboring Sari Pul province, three Taliban militants were killed following an ambush attack laid by army on Sunday night, he added.

No member of Afghan military was hurt during the clashes.

Elsewhere, seven Taliban militants were killed after Afghan army launched artillery shelling against Taliban positions in restive Marja and Sangin districts of southern Helmand province on early Sunday, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said earlier Monday.

"Three militants' hideouts, four fighting positions and a mortar were destroyed following the strikes and those among the killed were several key Taliban divisional commanders," the ministry said in a statement.

Afghan security forces have increased ground and air offensives against militants within the past few months as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the Asian country.