KABUL, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan troops backed by NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in major operation against Taliban militants in the restive Arghandab district of southern Kandahar province have killed 94 insurgents, a senior military officer told newsmen at a press conference Saturday.

    "We have counted 94 bodies of the insurgents in Arghandab where militants occupied last week to attack kandahar city," General Shir Mohammad Karimi, chief of operation of Afghan Defense Ministry, told newsmen at the last stage of the operation.

    Majority of those killed in the operation were foreigners. However, he did not specify any country.

    Hundreds of Taliban militants in a surprise move occupied several villages in Arghandab district 15 km northwest of kandahar city last weekend to threat the provincial capital.

    Afghan forces backed by NATO launched an operation last Wednesday and evicted the militants from the district.

    "Arghandab has been cleared from militants and now the house to house search operation is going on," General Karimi said, adding that the operation will be completed Sunday afternoon and then those fled their houses to safe places can return home and resume their normal lives.

    Taliban militants have not made any comment.

    Militancy and conflicts have claimed more than 1,500 people's lives so far this year in Afghanistan.