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31 Taliban militants killed in S. Afghanistan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-31 15:18

KABUL -- Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)in two-day's clean-up operation targeting Taliban militants activities in southern Afghan province of Helmand have killed at least 31 militants, said a police official on Sunday.

Mohammad Hussein Andiwal, the provincial police chief told Xinhua that ANSF clashed with Taliban militants in three separate districts,Gereshk, Nawad, and Nad Ali, in Helmand since Friday.

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"At least 22 bodies of Taliban militants were still left in the fighting area," Andiwal said.

"Fire fight has stopped right now," he added,"one police was also killed and four others were wounded in the clashes."

Taliban insurgents who staged a violent comeback three years ago have intensified their activities targeting Afghan and international troops over the past weeks to mount pressure on the government despite around 70,000 foreign troops stationed in the war-torn country vowing to keep peace and help reconstruction here.

Conflicts and spiraling insurgency have claimed the lives of over 3,000 people so far this year.