KABUL (Xinhua) – Afghan forces backed by the NATO-led troops have eliminated a total of 276 Taliban insurgents throughout the country over the last two weeks during series of operations, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

"Afghan National Army (ANA) forces during independent and joint operations with foreign troops have killed 276 enemies and detained 237 more insurgents all over the country over the past two weeks," General Zahir Azimi told reporters in weekly press briefing here.

According to Azimi, the casualties on Taliban fighters were counted from June 22 to July 5.

The army forces also found and neutralized 149 roadside bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) besides seizing 170 pieces of weapons over the mentioned period of time.

"As many as three weapon caches were found and destroyed by ANA personnel in the past 14 days and the troops also seized 11 vehicles and motor bikes from the rebels in the mentioned time," Azimi further said.

Briefing reporters on army casualties, Azimi said a total of 59 army personnel were killed and some 108 other army soldiers and officers sustained injuries over the same period of time.

Regarding the beginning of security transition from NATO and U. S. forces to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) later this month, Azimi said Afghan army and police were ready and had the ability to take security charges of seven areas including three provinces later in July.

"Afghans must be responsible for defending of their country, our army and police have the ability of taking security charges from foreign partners," Azimi said.

Later in July, U.S. troops are going to begin a gradual withdrawal from the country, he said, adding a comprehensive plan was underway to deploy Afghan forces in areas where foreign troops withdraw to avoid any security vacuum anywhere in the country.

The process of security transition from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces will start later this month and runs to 2014 with the aim of Afghan security forces to lead the securing affairs of their country independently.