4 killed as Afghan troops launch operation to trace militants in N. province

At least four militants were killed after Afghan troops launched a search and cordon operation in the country's northern province of Badakhshan on Sunday, police said.

"Afghan National Defense and Security Forces carried out the raid in Spin Gul valley, Argo District early Sunday morning. Four Taliban militants were killed and two others wounded when clashes broke out shortly after the raid started," Mahfozullah Akbari, police spokesman of the 808 Spin Zaar Police Zone based in the region, told Xinhua.

The raid will cover several villages and outer sides of the district, southeast of provincial capital Faizabad, and will continue before the area is cleared of the militants, he said.

The operation was conducted in wake of an attack on police personnel late last month when the militants shot and killed two policewomen.

"The raid will also target militants' bunkers and hideouts and will find out militants hiding mountainous area," the spokesman added.

Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently as the war-weary Afghans have been witnessing a surge in attacks by Taliban fighters and Islamic State (IS) affiliates across the country.

Local observers believe that the militants would intensify activities in summer to gain more territory and defame the government ahead of winter.

source: xinhua