Kabul, March 1 (IANS): At least five militants were killed while eight others were wounded in a military operation in Afghanistan's western province of Herat, a police chief said on Saturday.

"The military raid was carried out by army and police in Obe district, west of the provincial capital Herat city. Several rounds of weapons and ammunition were also seized following the operation," district police chief Shiragha Alokozai told Xinhua.

No soldier was hurt in the operations, he noted.

The army and police have stepped up efforts to clear the militants across Afghanistan as the country is preparing for the presidential and provincial council elections slated for April 5 this year.

Meanwhile, nearly 50 policemen joined the ranks of Afghan National Police after receiving eight-week training in Herat Police Training Centre, an interior ministry official told Xinhua earlier in the day.

The source said the fresh graduates will help the provincial security forces to provide security for the upcoming general elections.