32 militants killed in Afghanistan

KABUL - Thirty-two militants and three Afghan soldiers were killed in fighting with the security forces in southern Afghanistan, an official said Thursday.

The operation against the militants was conducted by the Afghan and NATO-led forces in the restive Helmand province Wednesday, provincial administration spokesman Daud Ahmadi said.

“Soldiers of Afghan army, police and international forces launched a cleanup operation in Nad Ali district Wednesday and have killed 32 rebels,” Ahmadi told Xinhua.

He said three Afghan soldiers were killed and four others, including a NATO soldier, were injured. Helmand is considered a stronghold of the Taliban.