Arrestees stand handcuffed in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 13, 2019. The Afghan government security forces have arrested 40 militants affiliated to Taliban militant group in southern Kandahar province, a provincial governor said Saturday. (Xinhua/Arghand)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government security forces have arrested 40 militants affiliated to Taliban militant group in southern Kandahar province, a provincial governor said Saturday.

"The Afghan national intelligence agency operatives have arrested 40 Taliban militants within the past one week in various parts of Kandahar province," Hayatullah Hayat told a press briefing here.

The arrestees were found to be involved in terror crimes across Kandahar and neighboring provinces.

The security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of the Taliban, over the last months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province.

The militant group has yet to respond to the report.