LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces raided a Taliban hideout in Gereshk district of the southern Helmand province Saturday, killing seven insurgents and destroying a weapon cache, the provincial government said.
"Acting upon intelligence report, the security forces raided a Taliban hideout in Norzo village of Gereshk district early today killing seven armed rebels," the local government said in a statement.
A weapon cache of the insurgents was also destroyed in the raid, it added.
Gereshk district has been the scene of fierce fighting between government forces and Taliban militants over the past couple of months and both sides have reportedly suffered casualties.
Taliban militants after losing Nawa district to government forces two weeks ago have been mounting pressure on security forces in Gereshk district to consolidate positions.
The poppy growing Helmand province with Lashkar Gah 555 km south of Kabul as its capital, has been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the conflict-affected Afghanistan.
