Afghan Special Forces Free 60 Prisoners In Helmand Province

Afghan Special Forces backed by helicopter gunships have freed more than 60 prisoners from a Taliban prison in southern Helmand Province.

Provincial Governor Hayatullah Hayat said Afghan Army commandos and members of the country’s elite counterterrorism unit raided a home in the Nawzad district on May 5. 

NATO said it backed the mission in a "train, advise and assist" role. 

In a statement, the military alliance said two insurgents were killed during the operation, and many others were wounded and detained.

"Afghan Special Forces liberated over 60 prisoners from an illegally run Taliban prison... during the cover of darkness via helicopter assault," NATO said in the statement.

"The liberated prisoners were safely transported to Kandahar where they were turned over to... Afghan authorities."

Afghan forces suffered no casualties, according to Afghan officials. 

Commentators say the raid marks a rare success for Afghan forces struggling to beat back the Taliban insurgency. 

In April, the Taliban announced the start of their annual spring offensive, vowing "large-scale attacks" across Afghanistan. 

Based on reporting by AP and AFP