12 Civilians Wounded in NATO Operation

In NATO operation conducted in the south-western Kandahar province on Wednesday, 12 civilians, including 6 women were wounded, local officials said

The operations were conducted in Zherai district of Kandahar, in which 6 women were also among the wounded, Toryalai Weesa, the governor of Kandahar, told TOLOnews.

Afghan local officials and NATO military officers have started investigation on the issue, he added.

The operations were reportedly carried without coordination with Afghan forces.

Meanwhile Gen. Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence remarked on Wednesday that Afghan and coalition forces' operations were ongoing in Shah Walikot district of Kandahar province and 80 percent of the province was wiped out of Taliban.

The operations are planned to begin in other districts as well, he said.

15 Taliban insurgents, including their leader have been arrested in these operations, he added.

Afghan and coalition forces have escalated their counter-insurgency operations in the country's volatile areas to wipe out Taliban militants and maintain security for the upcoming Afghan parliamentary elections.