NATO forces killed 40 Taliban insurgents

The offensives are part of an ongoing operation launched in an effort to secure parliamentary elections.

Afghan and Nato-led troops killed 40 Taliban insurgents in offensives this week in eastern Afghanistan.

The offensives are part of an ongoing operation, which began on Saturday in an effort to secure next month's parliamentary elections.

Apart from the 40 insurgents who were killed in recent days, eight key Taliban facilitators were also captured. Arms and vests used in suicide attacks were uncovered in the operation.

Afghanistan is set to hold a parliamentary election on September 18, but officials said some 13 per cent of the polling stations will not open because of security concerns.