KABUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan army backed by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have killed at least 31 Taliban insurgents and wounded eight others since Saturday in southern Afghan province of Kandahar, said a statement of Afghan ministry of interior on Monday.

    "In the joint operation launched Saturday morning in Panjwai district against militants, so far 31 enemies have been killed and eight others sustained injuries," the statement said.

    It also added that the operation would continue till the elimination of militants from the area.

    Mounting pressure on Taliban in Panjwai district is taking place amid the ongoing major offensive against the insurgents in Musa Qala district of the troubled Helmand province.

    Conflicts and Taliban-related insurgency have claimed the lives of nearly 6,000 people since beginning this year in the post-Taliban central Asian state.