LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Feb. 3 (Xinhua) -- At least seven militants including a Taliban key commander have been killed and five others injured in the southern Helmand province, an army statement said on Sunday.

According to the statement, the government forces launched cleanup operations in parts of the restive province on Saturday and so far seven militants including notorious commander Qari Janan have been killed.

A total of eight hideouts of the militants have also been destroyed during the operations, the statement said. However, it didn't say if there were casualties on security personnel.

The Taliban militants have not commented on the government's statement.