KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghan National Security Forces backed by International Troops eliminated nine militants in a joint cleanup operation in southern Afghan province of Zabul on Wednesday, said a press statement of Interior Ministry issued hereon Thursday.

    "A joint cleanup operation was launched in Deh Rawood district by Afghan National Army, police and international troops, during which nine armed militants were killed and over 1,000 kg explosive materials were found on the ground," the statement added.

    In a separate operation in Zabul, four rebels were also arrested in Shah Joi distract on the same day, it said.

    The aim of those operations was to prevent movement of "the enemies of peace and stability in Afghanistan" and no causalities on joint forces were reported, the statement noted.

    Taliban militants fighting Afghan, NATO and U.S. -led forces have yet to make any comment.

    A massive clean-up operation against the rampant Taliban-led militancy was jointly launched on Thursday by some 4,000 U.S. troops and 600 Afghan army in restive southern Afghan province of Helmand.