Afghan, NATO forces detain several militants in S Afghanistan

Afghan national security forces backed by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) detained a group of Taliban militants in an operation in Kandahar province of southern Afghanistan, according to a statement of the military alliance received on Saturday.

"An Afghan-international security force detained several suspected militants in Kandahar on Friday after searching a compound known to be used by a Taliban facilitator," the statement said.

However, it did not mention the exact number of detainees. "The joint security forces targeted a compound near the village of Nurayo Kariz, in Arghandab district," it said, adding "the forces searched the compound without incident and detained the militants including the Taliban facilitator."

But did not say the name or the rank of the Taliban facilitator.

No shots were fired and no one was injured in the operation, it stressed. Taliban militants have not made comment.

In their first operation against militants since announcing President Obama's new strategy on Wednesday in which he promised sending in additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. About 1,000 U.S. Marines and some 150 Afghan troops launched an offensive on Friday to disrupt Taliban activities in Nowzad district of Helmand province in the country.


Source:Xinhua