32 militants killed in Afghanistan (Lead, superseding earlier story)

KABUL - Thirty-two militants were killed by 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 news agency.

He said three Afghan soldiers were also killed while four soldiers were injured.

Helmand is considered a stronghold of the Taliban.