Sixteen civilians and 12 soldiers were freed from a Taliban prison after Afghan security forces launched a special operation in restive southern province of Zabul overnight, the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs said Thursday.

"The special operation was launched in Naw Bahar district, Zabul province. A clash took place following the raid and two armed militants were killed," the ministry said in a statement.

The freed people received medical treatment after they were shifted to an army camp, according to the statement.

They will join their families soon, the statement added.

Taliban insurgents frequently detain civilians and off-duty soldiers from across villages and highways and charge civilians for spying for government security forces.

The Taliban militant group has not made a comment on the report so far.