LASHKARGAH (PAN): A dozen Taliban fighters were killed and another 18 were wounded during a police search operation in southern Helmand province, officials said on Monday.

The police attacked rebel hideouts on Sunday in a border area of Tarkha Nawar in Nawa district, said Omar Jan Haqmal, the administrative chief of neighbouring Nadali.

He told Pajhwok Afghan News nine weapons were recovered by the police during the operation.

Two policemen slightly wounded during the engagement were back to work after treatment, he said.

Security checkpoints are being established in areas cleared from the rebels, Marja police chief Walad Khan said.

Khan said the police operation was underway in remote and border areas in Nadali, Marja and Nawa districts.

myn/ma