Kabul, Rabi'II 29, 1436, February 18, 2015, SPA -- The Afghan security forces have begun a large offensive against the Taliban militants in the group's birthplace in the south of the country, officials said Wednesday, according to dpa. This is the first major operation the Afghan security forces have launched since the NATO-led international combat troops ended their mission in December. The Ministry of Defence said the operation named Zolfeqar began on Monday in the restive province of Helmand. "So far, 45 insurgents have been killed, 11 injured and the security forces have seized a large number of weapons and ammunition," it said in a statement. --SPA 10:58 LOCAL TIME 07:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w