KABUL, Jan. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Troops of the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) have killed 14 suspected Taliban militias and detained 18 others over the past one month, the Defense Ministry spokesman said Sunday.

    "Personnel of the ANA have conducted 23 clean-up operations in different parts of Kandahar, Nangarhar, Paktika and Paktia provinces over the past one month, eliminating 14 enemies and arresting 18 others," Zahir Azimi told newsmen at a press conference.

    He also claimed that a number of Taliban group leaders were among the detainees, but declined to identify them.

    A number of arms and ammunition including one rocket-propelled grenade and six Kalashnikov assault rifles were seized by the government troops during the operations, Azimi added.

    Commenting on the government forces casualties, the spokesman said only two personnel of the ANA had lost their lives in gun battles.

    "Two personnel of the ANA have been martyred while seven others received injuries during the one month operations," Azimi said.

    Over 1,500 people, mostly militants, had lost their lives in the Taliban-linked insurgency in 2005 while militants' activities have claimed the lives of more 30 since the beginning of this year. Enditem