Gov't troops kill 5, detain French, Moroccan militants in S. Afghanistan

Afghan army, backed by NATO-led forces, in a night raid operation killed five insurgents and captured two including a French and a Moroccan national in Zabul province, 340 km south of capital city Kabul, a statement of Afghan Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"Afghan army commandos during joint operation in Ghazi Kali village of southern Zabul province eliminated a major terror group Monday night," the statement added.

"During the operation five people including two Pakistani nationals were killed and a French and a Moroccan were captured," the statement of Defense Ministry said.

It also said the joint forces found and destroyed a significant amount of weapons and ammunition during the raid, besides shattering a handful of propaganda papers on the spot.

Taliban militants have yet to make comments.

Taliban militants fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops announced late last month to launch spring offensive from May 1 and since then have conduced a series of attacks.

Source: Xinhua

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