10 militants killed in S. Afghan province

At least 10 Taliban militants were killed during an ongoing military operation in Afghanistan's southern province of Helmand, said a military statement on Thursday.

"Over the last 24 hours, 10 militants were killed and 14 others wounded during a military operation codenamed Maiwand 5 after Afghan security forces made advances in Aynak area, Nawa District," the statement issued by army's Corps Maiwand 215 based in the region said.

The raid was launched several days ago by joint Afghan security forces supported by Afghan air force to flush out militants from Nawa, south of the city of Lashkar Gah, Helmand's provincial capital.

Among the killed militants was a local Taliban leader named Zia-ul-Haq, the statement added.

"The security forces also found 54 landmines and roadside bombs since the raid started and the operation will continue before the area is cleared of the militants," it noted.

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

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently.

But the militants responded by bombings and armed attacks. On Wednesday, five civilians were killed and three others wounded in a suicide bombing near the country's Defense Ministry in Kabul. Enditem