3 insurgents killed, 8 detained in Afghanistan

KABUL, Feb. 18  -- Three insurgent were killed and eight other suspects detained during joint operations launched by the Afghan forces and NATO-led troops in four Afghan provinces, the country's Interior Ministry said on Saturday.

"Afghan National Police, Afghan army and International Coalition Forces launched four joint operations in Kunar, Nangarhar, Kandahar and Helmand provinces over the past 24 hours killing three armed insurgents and detaining eight others," the ministry said in a statement.

The joint forces also seized 70 AK-47 guns besides defusing three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), it said.

Afghan forces and NATO-led coalition troops have intensified cleanup operations throughout the post-Taliban country recently. Over 140 insurgents have been killed and more than 530 others detained by joint forces since beginning this year, according to the Interior Ministry.

Afghan officials often use the word "insurgents" referring to Taliban. However, the insurgent group, who launched in May 2011 a rebel offensive against Afghan and NATO forces, has not made comment.

Posted in: Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghanistan, Improvised explosive device, International Security Assistance Force, Nangarhar Province, NATO, Taliban