BADAKHSHAN, Afghanistan -- Afghan troops on Tuesday (January 2) brought the on-going Operation Shafaq 2 to Badakhshan Province, driving militants out of several villages and killing a number of militants, TOLO News reported.
The offensive already was under way in several other provinces.
Troops launched the offensive in Faizabad city, provincial police chief Muhammad Nabi Bayan said, adding the operation "will continue through the winter until the region is cleared of insurgents".
A militant attack during the fighting killed or wounded a number of troops, said Abdul Bashir Samim, chairman of the Badakhshan provincial council.
The operation is progressing slowly in Helmand, Faryab and many other provinces, the Ministry of Defence said.
