Security officials in Helmand province said on Tuesday that finally, after three years of battles in Lashkargah's PD4, the area was taken by security forces.

According to military officials after one week of heavy operations, the area has been cleared of Taliban insurgents.

The officials said at present there is a clearance operation against Taliban insurgents continuing in Babaji village in Lashkargah's PD4.

The officials said the only challenge ahead of security forces involved with the operation is the existence of land mines in the Babaji area.

According to officials the Lashkargah's PD4 has been under Taliban control for the past three years.

“Yesterday, we took the area and brought heavy casualties on the enemy,” said Abdullah, a border police soldier.

“During the operation, a large number of mines were discovered and defused, the situation is normal and people are traveling,” said Mohammad Jan, another border police soldier.

Security officials in the province said the operation will continue until complete elimination of the Taliban from Babaji village.

“The area has been cleared of Taliban,” said Hanifullah Shinwari, a military official.

“The mines in the way were cleared by ANA forces and now the PD4 area of Babaji has been cleared,” said Barat Ali a commander of 3rd border police corps.

Babaji village in Lashkargah's PD4 is located 27km from the capital Lashkargah city and during the operation Taliban insurgents suffered heavy casualties.

Security officials did not discuss military or civilian casualties during the operation.