Kabul , Afghanistan ( CNN ) -- At least 80 militants were killed in a series of operations involving Afghan and NATO forces during a day-long firefight last week in the country 's restive southeast , Paktika provincial governor Mukhlas Afghan said Sunday . NATO said it could only confirm 50 insurgents were killed in the fight . The operation , which began Wednesday and spanned the night into Thursday , was fought in a `` known Haqqani network '' area . The Haqqani network is an insurgent group loosely affiliated with the Taliban and is believed to be based in Pakistan 's frontier territories . The raid included Afghan special forces and engaged `` multiple groups of insurgents '' who were armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers and heavy machine guns , NATO 's International Security Assistance Force reported Friday . Multiple insurgent groups were holed up in areas that included caves and fortified bunker positions , ISAF said . Elsewhere , coalition raids on Sunday in Helmand province left five militants dead , including three Taliban commanders , according to provincial governor Dawood Ahmadi . Three others were captured , he said . Sunday 's announcement coincides with formal ceremonies marking the handover of security to Afghan forces in parts of Kabul and Panjshir province . They are the fifth and sixth areas to be transferred to national forces . CNN 's Fazel Reshad contributed to this report .
NEW : Five other militants killed in Helmand province , including three Taliban commanders . Paktika governor : at least 80 militants are killed in joint operations . NATO confirms 50 insurgents were killed . Separately , security handover ceremonies take place in Kabul and Panjshir province .