KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 21 (Xinhua) -- About nine Taliban militants were killed following a special operation in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar on Monday, a local source said Tuesday.

"The operation was launched by the Special Operations Forces in Karee locality of Shah Wali Kot district. As a result nine militants were killed and an amount of weapons were also seized," the source told Xinhua anonymously.

He noted that the security forces also destroyed two militants' vehicles and 15 motorcycles following the raid.

Security situation has been improving in Kandahar, the former stronghold of Taliban, over the last months, as security forces have conducted search and cordon operations across the province. But the militants attack government interests in the province from time to time.