TIRIN KOT, Afghanistan, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 58 Taliban militants were killed and several others wounded following separate air and ground operations in two key southern Afghan provinces, officials said Wednesday.

More than 100 Taliban attacked two security posts on Uruzgan province's main roadway on Tuesday evening, but they faced harsh response by the security forces and fled the area after leaving 40 fighters dead, Abdul Qawi Omari, provincial police chief, told Xinhua.

In Talayee area of the provincial capital Tirin Kot, at least seven armed Taliban fighters were killed when Afghan army forces shelled artillery on the outfits' hideouts, said Omari.

Elsewhere in the neighboring Kandahar province, late on Tuesday, according to Gen. Abdul Razeq, the provincial police chief, a joint Afghan and U.S.-led NATO coalition air operation killed 11 militants and injured 11 others.

The sources did not give details if Afghan security forces or civilians suffered casualties.

Afghan security forces, backed by the coalition troops, have increased ground and air offensives against militants in the past few months as the country is preparing for parliamentary and district council elections slated for Oct. 20.

The Taliban were not immediately available for comment on the report.