KABUL, Sept. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The Afghan troops and the US-led coalition forces have captured at least 40 Taliban militants in an offensive operation in the troubled Kanhahar province, an Afghan official said Monday.

    After received reports from locals, Afghan troops and coalition forces carry out a blitz in Laram village of Kandahar province about 10 a.m. on Sunday, Zahir Murad, press officer of defense ministry, told Xinhua.

    Since the Taliban militants were surrounded and captured in a very short time, there was no casualty from both sides, said Zahir.

    It is still unclear if any high rank Taliban commanders are among captives, he added.

    "Taliban is trying to derail the upcoming historic parliamentary elections slated on Sept. 18, that's why such a big number of militants were gathering for attacks," Zahir pointed out.

    In the past couple days, Taliban slaughtered at least 16 people, including a British engineer and a candidate, in Kandahar, Zabul and other southern provinces. Enditem