Defense Ministry: 200 Rebels Killed in Afghan Army's Azra Offensive Defense Ministry: 200 Rebels Killed in Afghan Army's Azra OffensiveNearly 200 insurgents, including foreigners, and nearly a dozen Afghan troops were killed during an operation in the Azra district of central Logar province, Afghanistan's Defense Ministry said on Friday. Spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defense Gen. Zahir Azimi told Pajhwok Afghan News the military and police operation had been concluded in the district, with the forces currently searching for fugitive insurgent elements. He said security forces suffered casualties as a result of roadside bomb explosions, adding the forces would remain in the town until the area was completely cleared of miscreants. Azimi said the Azra offensive marked the first-ever independent operation by Afghan foreign after the security transition from foreign troops. The operation that began around 18 days ago came after residents of Azra and Hesarak district of Eastern