KABUL, Aug. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The US military and Afghan troops have launched a big offensive in eastern Kunar province to root out militants from the mountainous area, spokesperson of the US-led coalition said Sunday.

    "The operation begun in the weekend to wipe out enemies of peace and ensure security for the Afghans," Cindy Moore confirmedbut refused to give more details.

    "As the operation is going on so it is against out policy to disclose the details and put in danger the lives of our servicemen," she noted.

    Kunar, a former base of Taliban and stronghold of dissident warlord Gulbudin Hekmatyar has been the scene of bloody clashes between Taliban-led insurgents and Afghan and US troops over the past two months.

    Nineteen US soldiers including three Marines and 16 troopers aboard helicopters were killed in Taliban attacks in late June. While two more American soldiers downed to Kunar river last week.

    The aim of the US army fresh offensive, according to Afghan sources is to dislodge militants from the restive Karengal valley close to Pakistani border where hundreds of Taliban fighters are believed to holed up. Enditem