Afghan forces kill 25 insurgents in S. Kandahar province

Up to 25 militants have been killed in the southern Kandahar province over the past 24 hours as cleanup operations continue in the restive Shah Wali Kot district of the province, said an army statement released here Wednesday.

Backed by fighting planes, the mop up covering parts of the troubled Shah Wali Kot district since Tuesday morning has also left several militants wounded, the statement asserted.

Without providing information on the possible number of casualties of the security forces, the statement noted that the operations would last until the area is cleared of the armed militants.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of the relatively restive Kandahar province have yet to make comment.