Afghan troops destroy narcotics worth millions

Afghanistan troops waged an anti-drug operation and destroyed a large quantity of narcotics in eastern Paktia province on Friday, an official statement said.

"Afghan security forces backed by the (Nato) coalition forces carried out a special operation in Paktia province and destroyed over 190,000 kg hashish, 1,700 kg of opium and 18 kg of heroin," the statement said.

The destroyed drugs have been estimated at over $44 million, according to a Xinhua news agency report.

No further details were available about the operation which was launched in the province, 100 km south of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan.

Much of the world's poppy is cultivated in the militancy-hit country, particularly in western and southern parts of the country, where government security forces have little presence.

--IANS

soni/ahm/vt