KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Nov. 2 (Xinhua)-- Afghan forces have killed eight Taliban militants and captured four others in the northern Kunduz province, senior army commander in the northern region General Murad Ali Murad said Monday.

    "Our forces during a cleanup operation have killed eight rebels in Chardara and Gortipa districts over the past two days," Murad told a joint press conference attended by provincial governor Mohammad Omar.

    He also said that security situation has been very much improved and the environment is ready for government to hold the second round election presidential polls set for Nov. 7.

    Some 18,000 police and army personnel, according to officials, have been deployed in the Northern provinces to facilitate people to use their franchise in the critical runoff, scheduled for next Saturday.

    The government has put all security measures in place to hold runoff next Saturday while Abdullah Abdullah the top challenger tothe sitting Hamid Karzai and candidate for second term quitted the race Sunday.