KABUL, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Afghan troops have launched massive operation against Taliban in the restive province of Kandahar while three police were killed in an ambush in neighboring Helamnd province, officials said on Saturday.

    Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) in their joint operation with the U.S.-led Coalition forces raided Gharai and Panjwai districts Saturday, leaving nine insurgents killed, 12 arrested and seven injured, Kandahar Governor AsadullahKhalid told reporters.

    Some Taliban senior commanders were among the dead list while two policemen and one ANA soldier were wounded in the fire fighting,said the governor.

    The Afghan forces started the operation as they were informed that some insurgents from neighboring country planed to attack the province, said Asadullah.

    The operation would be continued in the province for several days, he added.

    Also on Saturday, three Afghan police were killed and one seriously injured in the ambush in the Baghran district of Helmand province, confirmed local police.

    Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the attack.

    Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan, the hot bed of Taliban, has seen the scene of increasing militancy over the past four years.

    Taliban-linked militancy has claimed the lives of around 300 people including 15 American since beginning this year. Enditem