Afghan troops since launching operations in Marja district of the southern Helmand province have killed 25 rebels including two local commanders, military commander General Mohidin Ghori said Wednesday. "The operation begun Tuesday morning left 25 Taliban militants dead so far including two commanders,"Ghori told Xinhua.

Huge quantity of arms, ammunition and narcotics had been discovered during the operation, he said, adding the operation would continue till the elimination of the insurgents from the area.

Government troops said Tuesday without any resistance they had regained the control of Marja where had been held by Taliban militants for one year and half.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)