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Afghan special forces capture 15 Taliban members

Xinhua, May 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

About 15 Taliban militants have been captured following a special operation in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, the command of Afghan Special Forces said on Wednesday.

"The Afghan Special Operation Forces conducted a raid against a Taliban hideout in Shah Wali Kot district, Kandahar province on Monday. As a result 15 members of Taliban outfit were detained," it said in a statement.

The security forces also seized weapons, over 400 kg explosive materials and five landmines as a result of the operation, according to the statement.

The raid was launched based on a confirmed tip-off suggesting presence of militants in the targeted compound, it said.

Kandahar, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as spring and summer known as fighting seasons are drawing near in the country.

The Taliban respond by bombing and armed attacks. On Tuesday night, three Afghan army soldiers were wounded and one soldier went missing following a landmine explosion in the country's northern Baghlan province, according to an army source in the province. Endit