LONDON, July 30 (Saba) -- Hundreds of British troops launched an operation against Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan on Friday morning, local media reported, according to Xinhua.

Operation Tor Shezada began in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan in a bid to seize a Taliban-controlled town and try to restore government rule.

About 180 insurgents are believed to use the town as an important stronghold for making bombs, planning attacks, and treating injured fighters.

The Ministry of Defense said the offensive continues the momentum gathered by Operation Mostarak earlier this year.

A spokesman for Task Force Helmand, James Carr-Smith, said the operation is currently ongoing and ""reports back from the commanders on the ground say it is progressing according to plan."

"It will further dislocate insurgents and deny them a base from which to attack the Nad-Ali and Marjah areas, making the local population safer and reducing the threat to ISAF and ANSF troops," Carr-Smith said.

Operation Mostarak took place earlier this year, but attacks and casualties have continued to mount in Nad Ali and neighboring Marjah, and the U.S. Marine Corps is struggling with a resurgent Taliban.

Saba