Abuja, May 7 (IANS): Nigerian forces on Wednesday rescued more women and children kidnapped by the Boko Haram during an operation aimed at destroying the terrorists' camp in the volatile northeastern state of Borno, a spokesman said.

Nigerian army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said at least 25 women and children were rescued during a military operation early on Wednesday.

Many members of the Boko Haram were killed in a gunfight that ensued as troops began the operation to free the abductees in the terror group's den.

A Nigerian soldier was shot dead and five others sustained injuries during the battle, Xinhua news agency cited the army spokesman as saying in a statement.

"Our troops are unrelenting in their determined efforts to vanquish the Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are. So far, they have been making tremendous progress in Sambisa forest," he said.

In the fierce encounter, the army spokesman added, Nigerian government forces destroyed seven more terrorist camps, as well as high-calibre weapons of the Boko Haram.

More than 500 children and women have been rescued by Nigerian troops in the last one week, as they intensified bombardment of Sambisa forest of Borno state, one of the Boko Haram's major hideouts in the West African country.

The rescue of 293 girls and women by the government forces last week marked the beginning of freedom for people long abducted by Boko Haram.

However, so far, none of the schoolgirls of Chibok town abducted over a year ago by the Boko Haram has been said to be found among those rescued.

The schoolgirls, 219 of them, were kidnapped in their dormitories on April 14, 2014.