Afghan security forces have retaken a southern district from the Taliban as part of a drive to weaken the insurgents' hold on Helmand province and push them back from around its capital, Lashkar Gah. <br/><br/>Officials said today that a two-day offensive launched on Saturday saw security forces take the district centre of Nawa, to the south of Lashkar Gah, killing over 50 militants. <br/><br/>Defence Ministry spokesman, General Dawlat Waziri said, the operation would continue with security forces moving further south along the main road to the town of Garmsir. <br/><br/>He said, the recapture of Nawa district, from where the insurgents threatened Lashkar Gah, reflects renewed focus by Afghan forces and their US advisers on Helmand, an insurgent heartland that is source of much of the world's illegal opium.<br/>