At least 18 militants have been killed in southern Kandahar province, the former stronghold of Taliban outfit, said a statement of Defense Ministry released here Sunday.

In the operations which covered parts of Dand, Jelai and Maroud districts since Saturday, 18 armed insurgents have been killed and a total of anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines have been discovered and defused, the statement added.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Kandahar province have yet to make a comment.