Anti-militants operation continues in east Afghanistan

The heaviest anti-Taliban operation launched in east Afghanistan one month ago is going on smoothly as over a dozen insurgents have either been killed or detained, Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi said Wednesday.

"The operation Mountain Lion is continuing successfully. Eleven enemies have been killed and seven others made captive since launching the crackdown," Azimi told journalists.

Initiated on April 12 and covering the provinces of Kunar, Nooristan and surrounding areas, the joint Afghan, U.S. forces operation has also enabled Afghan administration to restore government's sovereignty in the far-flung and mountainous Karangil district.

Commenting on government forces' casualties, the spokesman put the number as less as three by saying, "Three personnel of Afghan National Army and one Afghan interpreter have been martyred and four other soldiers sustained injuries."

However, he declined to comment on the U.S. troops casualties.

The U.S. military, which has been backing Afghan forces in the operation, has lost one helicopter last weekend and later on confirmed that all 10 aboard were killed in the incident.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the shooting down of the chopper but the U.S. army rejected the claim saying no evidence has been found to prove hostile fire's involvement in the chopper crash.

Source: Xinhua