KABUL, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Four suspected Taliban militias were killed as they encountered with government troops in the restive Zabul province on Friday morning, a military official said Saturday.

    "Our crackdown to enemies led to the killing of four Taliban in Jaldak district yesterday morning," Commander of Southern Corps General Rahmatullah Raufi told Xinhua.

    A number of arms and ammunition including eight hand grenades were also recovered from the possession of the militants, he added.

    Taliban-linked militancy is on rise as over a dozen people including two Italian soldiers have lost their lives in hostile action over the past one week.

    A U.S. military helicopter also crashed in the rugged Kunar province in east Afghanistan where a heavy anti-militants' operation "the Mountain Lion" has been going for the past one month.

    Taliban-linked insurgency has claimed the lives of over 300 people including 15 American soldiers since beginning this year. Enditem