The attack took place late on Tuesday in the Paktika province. The operation is believed to have been directed against militant commander Mullah Mohammad Nabi.
"The operation also resulted in four civilian deaths and one civilian injury," the spokesman said. He also said the attack had killed two women and a boy. Local sources say the fourth civilian killed was also a woman.
Local authorities say that three Taliban militants were killed and 12 detained. A local MP claimed that at least nine civilians were killed in the attack.
The three women and the child were in the hideout when it was attacked.
Some aid groups say that more than 500 civilians were killed during U.S.-led operations against the Taliban last year.
