KABUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- An operation conducted by Afghan police in the militancy-plagued Helmand province in southern Afghanistan has claimed the lives of 22 enemies, Interior Ministry spokesman Yusuf Stanikzai said Thursday.

    In line with locals's demand, the police launched an operation against enemies in Garmsir district Wednesday, during which 22 insurgents were killed, Stanikzai told Xinhua.

    He said five bodies of the militants were lying on the battle ground. Only two police men were received injuries during the operation, Stanikzai stressed.

    Garmsir has been the scene of increasing security incidents over the past one month as 18 more militants, according to officials, were killed in gun battle on Tuesday.

    Meanwhile, locals say that NATO aircraft also backed the Afghan police in the two hours operation against militants which ended at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday.

    Taliban militants have yet to make any comment.

    More than 1,700 people including rebels, Afghans and U.S.-led coalition soldiers have been killed in the post-Taliban nation since beginning this year. Enditem