Afghan troops and the U.S. Marine regained the control of Khanshin district in Helmand province, south of Afghanistan, hours after launching operation Thursday, a senior military officer in Helamnd province General Mohidin Ghori said.

"We have evicted Taliban insurgents from Khanshin district and established our check posts there," Ghori told Xinhua.

He also contended there was no casualty on the security forces.

When asked if there were any Taliban casualties, the General said, Taliban fighters had vacated the district before facing onslaught of the joint troops.

Over 4,000-strong Afghan army and U.S. Marines launched the biggest-ever operation against Taliban hideouts in several parts of Helmand province to root out militants before holding presidential election set for Aug. 20 this year.

Source: Xinhua