Afghan forces' operations kill 9 militants in eastern province

PUL-E-ALAM, Afghanistan, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of nine militants have been confirmed dead as ground troops backed by fighting planes struck Taliban hideouts in Baraki Barak district of the eastern Logar province on Monday, Provincial police said in a statement released here Tuesday.

The operation, according to the official, was launched in Babery, Alaf Khan and Ahangaran villages of the restive Baraki Barak district on Monday morning, leaving nine armed insurgents dead.

A number of arms and ammunitions were also discovered during the operations, the statement added.

The operations would last until the area is cleared of the militants, the statement further said.

Taliban militants have not commented.