Afghan Forces Kill 4 Taliban Militants in Western Herat Province - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Afghan security forces have defused 60 landmines and killed four militants from the Taliban movement in the country's western Herat province, as Pajhwok news agency reported on Thursday, citing local authorities.

The landmines were found in a Taliban arms depot in Herat's Shindand district, according to the Pajhwok news agency.

The killed militants were experts in making and planting explosive devices, the agency reported.

READ MORE: US Ready to Talk With Both Afghan Gov't, Taliban to Settle Peace — State Dept.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from an unstable political, social and security situation due to simmering Taliban insurgency. The violence is exacerbated by the activities of various terrorist groups, including Daesh* terror group, outlawed in Russia. In August, the Taliban rejected Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's offer for a three-month ceasefire.

*Daesh (also known as ISIS/ISIL/IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia.