KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Afghan troops and the U.S. Marines regained the control of Khanshin district in Helmand province south of Afghanistan hours after launching operation Thursday, a senior military officer in Helmand province General Mohidin Ghori said.

U.S. Marines tear down a mud wall next to a compound which they will use as a base in the village of Sorkhdoz in Helmand River Valley, July 2, 2009. Afghan troops and the U.S. Marines regained the control of Khanshin district in Helmand province south of Afghanistan hours after launching operation Thursday, a senior military officer in Helmand province General Mohidin Ghori said. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "We have evicted Taliban insurgents from Khanshin district and established our check posts there," Ghori told Xinhua.

    He also contended there was no casualty on the security forces.

    When asked if there were any Taliban casualties, the General said Taliban fighters had vacated the district before facing onslaught of the joint troops.

    Meantime, commander of Afghanistan's 205 Corps in the south Afghanistan General Shir Mohammad Zazi told Xinhua that the troops without any resistance recaptured Khanshin district.

U.S. Marines walk at Camp Dwyer in Helmand Province July 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    He also said that a message of president Hamid Karzai was read out in a gathering attended by the elders of the district, in which Karzai promised the people to ensure permanent peace in the region.

    Over 4,000 Afghan and U.S. Marines launched the ever-biggest operation against Taliban hideouts in several parts of Helmand province to root out militants before holding the presidential election set for August 20 this year.

Afghan, U.S. military kick off massive operation for upcoming elections

    KABUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- In efforts to facilitate all Afghans participating the approaching presidential and provincial councils' election, Afghan army and U.S. forces on Thursday kicked off the much awaited offensive against Taliban fighters in Helmand province of southern Afghanistan, a press release of Afghan Defense Ministry said.

    Dubbed Attal 41 (Hero 41), the multi-pronged offensive, according to the press release, was launched early Thursday morning in the districts where Taliban have holed up with pro-active involvement of Afghan army, police and U.S. Marines. Full story