At least 16 Taliban members were killed during an Afghan/NATO-led military operation in southern Afghanistan, a local official told CNN on Saturday.

The operation started Friday night in Babji village of volatile Helmand province - the region where U.S. and British forces are gearing up for a major push against militants.

Abdul Satar Merzakwal, Helmand's deputy governor, said the purpose of the mission was mine-clearing.

Read more about the violence in Helmand