KABUL - Rejecting reports of talks with militants, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Sunday said the troops were carrying out operations in the Sangin district of southern Helmand province.

After assuming office last week, Brig. Gen. Asadullah Sherzai, the special force commander for Helmand, had said they had started negotiations with the Taliban to control violencein in Sangin. He had said the peace parleys were restricted only to Sangin district.

However, the ministry denied in a statement the so-called talks with insurgents in the district. Gen. Zahir Azimi, the ministry spokesman, said Afghan National Army (ANA) commandos were busy purging the area of militants.

The Taliban also rejected peace talks with government forces in the district, saying they would fight on. The group also denied the presence of foreign fighters in Sangin. (Pajhwok)