The Taliban, ousted from power after a U.S.-led military operation in 2001, have been stepping up their activities in recent months.

"During the bombing 73 Taliban militants were killed," a spokesman for the province's governor said, adding that 15 were also injured.

The military operation came after the Taliban had attacked several district centers in the east of the country late on Tuesday. At least 22 militants were killed in clashes with Afghan police and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops in the Paktika province.