KABUL, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least nine Taliban militants have been killed after Afghan National Army troops launched a cleanup operation in southern province of Helmand, Afghan Ministry of Defense said Friday.

"The raid was conducted Thursday on the outskirts of provincial capital Lashkar Gah city after intelligence tips confirmed militants' activity at the areas," the ministry said in a statement.

No security force member or civilian was hurt during the operation.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

The militant group has yet to respond to the report.

Afghan forces and NATO and U.S.-led coalition troops continued in mopping-up operations as the Taliban militant group has been attempting to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the Central Asian country.