KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- Afghan National Army(ANA) backed by NATO-led forces eliminated 10 Taliban militants during a cleanup operation in Taliban's former stronghold Helmand province, spokesman for local administration said on Saturday.

    "During the joint operation launched Friday in west of provincial capital Lashkargah, 10 rebels have been killed and six others got injured," Daud Ahmadi told Xinhua.

    He also stressed that there were no causalities on the troops.

    The joint forces also detained a Taliban militant during the operation, he further said. Taliban militants have yet to make comments.

    Notorious for growing poppy, Helmand has been the scene of Taliban-led insurgency over the past several years.