The Afghan Defense Ministry says Afghan and NATO forces have killed, wounded or detained hundreds of Taliban insurgents during this week's battle to push the rebels out from the southern town of Musa Qala.
A spokesman told reporters Thursday that several rebel commanders and foreign fighters were among those killed during the successful operation. The spokesman said he could not provide exact casualty figures because bodies are still being collected.
He said Afghan and NATO forces also bombed a Taliban meeting in the mountains of Sangin and Musa Qala district that led to high casualties.
The Taliban took control of Musa Qala, in Helmand province, about eight months ago.
In other violence, Afghan Interior Ministry said a landmine blast killed six civilians and wounded six others in neighboring Uruzgan province Thursday.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.