Afghan, NATO forces regain district from Taliban

KABUL, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan National Police (ANP) back by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) forces regained the control of a key district which was taken by the militants over the past five years in Afghanistan's troubled Uruzgan province in south Afghanistan, police said Thursday.

"The ANP forces backed by the NATO-led troops during an operation recaptured Gizab district late Wednesday and arrested four militant's commanders including the shadow district governor Mullah Hikmat," police commander of Uruzgan-Kandahar highway Matiullah Popal told Xinhua via telephone.

The police commander said that Mullah Sadiq, Mohammad Yaqub and Mullah Omar, the famous Taliban commanders in Gizab, were also detained.

He also said that no casualties on combined troops and civilians were reported during the operation.

Contingent from Australian forces supported Afghan police in the operation, Popal added.

Australia has over 1,300 troops within the framework of NATO- led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stationed in Afghanistan mostly deployed in Uruzgan the former Taliban stronghold.

Taliban militants have yet to make comments.