KABUL, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan army commandos waged an operation and freed 58 people from a Taliban prison in the country's southern province of Helmand Monday night, Afghan Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"Acting on a confirmed tip-off, the operation was launched in Helmand's Musa Qala district. Those among the freed people were four army soldiers, 15 police personnel, four medical doctors and the rest were innocent civilians," the ministry said in a statement.

Four members of Taliban militant group were also arrested following the raid and were shifted to an army base for questioning, the statement added.

Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.

Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, killing government troops as well as civilians.

They have intensified armed attacks against security forces across the country since April 25 when the Taliban's so-called yearly rebel offensive started.