Operation launched against Taliban in Afghanistan
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Afghan and NATO-led troops launched a major offensive against Taliban militants in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province Saturday morning, officials said.
"A major operation with the involvement of Afghan and NATO-led troops launched against Taliban militants in Chardara district early this morning to ensure stability there," governor of Chardara district Abdul Waheed Omarkhil told Xinhua.
A Taliban rocket, he added, hit a residential area during the battle leaving a woman dead and injuring two others.
To wipe out Taliban rebels, the NATO's aircraft pounded Shikhan and Lalamaidan villages the hideouts of militants in Chardara district Saturday afternoon, Omarkhil stressed.
He also said that the joint forces are advancing toward the hideouts of militants and killing them.
Taliban militants have yet to make comment.
Meantime, Deputy to provincial Police chief Abdul Rahman Haqtash told Xinhua that the operation would continue until militants were completely wiped out from Kunduz province.
Troops from Afghan army, Afghan police and soldiers of NATO-led troops are involved in the operation but could not say the exact figures of the troops attending the battle.
Currently, he added the operation covers several villages where Taliban militants are active.
He also stressed that it is a Marja-like operation that led to strengthening government control in Marja district of the southern Helmand province in mid February.
Chardara has been regarded as the main hub of Taliban fighters in Kunduz and surrounding Northern provinces of Afghanistan.
