KABUL, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Over two dozen anti-government insurgents were killed and injured during military operation in Taliban birthplace Kandahar in south Afghanistan, a private television channel aired Monday.

    Twenty five militants were killed in joint operation of Afghan and international troops launched in Shurabak district in Kandahar province Sunday night, Tolo television reported in its bulletin.

    Kandahar, a former stronghold of Taliban militants has been the scene of militancy and skirmishes since the collapse of Taliban regime eight years ago.

    Despite the presence of over 100,000 of U.S. and NATO forces in the post-Taliban country, the Taliban-led insurgency has reached its worst level while U.S. President Barak Obama is considering a request of his top commander in Afghanistan for up to 40,000 more troops here to curb the deteriorating situation.