A major military offensive has been launched against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan. Five militants have been killed so far since the offensive began late last night in Marja district of Helmand province. This was announced by a senior Afghan commander in the region General Shir Mohammad Zazai at a press conference today. Zazai said eight militants have been captured. General Zazai also said that 13 important points have been captured by the troops and the militants have shown little resistance. He said that the operation will go on step by step to ensure lasting peace in Marja, Nad Ali and adjoining areas. <br/>Soon after midnight, British and US jets took off in the southern Afghan airbase to support the biggest operation against the Taliban. In the small hours of the morning, thousands of NATO and Afghan troops were airlifted by helicopter and dropped in the Nad Ali and Marjah districts with the aim of driving out the Taliban from their last major stronghold in the region. Nearly 15,000 coalition and Afghan troops are taking in the Operation Moshtarak – meaning "together" in Dari.<br/>