Troops sweep out militants in N Afghan province

KABUL, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and the NATO-led forces have launched operation against Taliban militants in the northern Baghlan province to strengthen government control, a press release of Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"The operation launched recently has so far led to the cleaning up of several villages and government's control has been consolidated," the press release added.

It said that a number of arms and ammunition have been seized by the troops.

However, it did not specify the casualties on the insurgency, adding all the Taliban fighters had left the area without resistance.

Baghlan until early this year a peaceful province in north Afghanistan has been the scene of Taliban activities over the past several months.

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