Operation underway to re-capture Helmand 's Nawa district in Afghanistan

Afghan security forces have launched a military operation

on Saturday to re-capture Nawa district of Helmand province after the Taliban seized control

of the strategic area nine months ago .

"The large scale military operation was kicked off on Saturday morning and that troops are

moving in from three different directions,"Tolo News quoted Omar Zowak, the provincial

governor's spokesman as saying.

Since the launch of the operation, 12 Taliban insurgents have been killed, Zowak said. Two

policemen were wounded, Zowad added.

The Taliban controls several large districts in Helmand, and its forces have surrounded and

attempted to attack the capital city, Lashkargah, for months.

Nawa district is located about 15km from Lashkargah city and collapsed to the Taliban nine

months ago.

On 29th March, Afghan forces conducted air raids in Helmand province in which as many as 45

Taliban insurgents were killed and 29 others were wounded. The strike was conducted in Bolan

and Spina Kota areas close to Lashkargah city of Helmand province, the office said in the statement.