19 militants killed in S Afghanistan

KABUL, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Afghan National Police (ANP) backed by the U.S.-led Coalition troops eliminated 19 armed militants in Afghanistan's southern Uruzgan province, according to a statement of Interior Ministry released here Saturday.

"A joint operation of ANP and U.S.-led coalition forces in Charchino district of Uruzgan claimed the lives of 15 enemies on Friday," the statement said.

A number of arms and ammunition including one rocket propelled grenade, machine gun and two mines were also seized by police during the operation, it said.

However, it did not say if there were any casualties on the troops.

Meantime, a massive operation involving nearly 5,000 Afghan and U.S. Marines has been continuing in the neighboring Helmand province since July 2 to restore government control in Taliban-held territories.

Taliban militants who staged a bloody comeback three years ago have vowed to speed up their attacks against Afghans and the U.S.-led troops based in the post-Taliban central Asian state.