LASHKARGAH, Afghanistan, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Up to 20 armed militants were killed during the Afghan forces operations in Helmand province, south of Afghanistan, on Sunday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement released here Monday.

"The Afghan security and defense forces launched several military operations in Marjah and Nad Ali districts of southern Helmand province, as a result 20 militants were killed on Sunday," said the statement.

During the operations some amount of ammunitions were also discovered by security forces, the statement said, adding there was no civilian or security forces casualty.

Taliban militants have yet to make a comment.