The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has eliminated some 50 anti-government militants in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province since weekend, a spokesman of the alliance said Wednesday.

"About 50 Taliban insurgents have been killed and there were no casualties on ISAF since launching Operation Baaz Tsuka," Brigadier Richard Nugee told newsmen here at a press briefing.

The Operation Baaz Tsuka or Falcon Summit with the involvement of ISAF troops, Afghan army and police was launched on Saturday to clean up the restive districts of Panjwai, Jalai and surrounding areas from militants in south Afghanistan.

Taliban militias have yet to make any comment.

Commenting on ISAF casualties throughout the outgoing year of 2006, the spokesman said only 55 soldiers lost their lives in action.

Nearly 4,000 people with a majority of them militants and some 160 foreign soldiers have been killed in Taliban-linked militancy including gun battles, roadside bombings and suicide attacks since January this year in Afghanistan.

Source: Xinhua