41 militants killed in Afghanistan in 24 hours

 At least 41 militants were killed and 23 others injured in clashes with security forces and government airstrikes in the last 24 hours, the Afghan Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

Kabul: At least 41 militants were killed and 23 others injured in clashes with security forces and government airstrikes in the last 24 hours, the Afghan Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

"The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) conducted military operations against enemies in 13 of the 34 Afghan provinces. The ground forces were supported by the Afghan air force and artillery," Xinhua news agency reported quoting the ministry's statement. 

"The ANSF inflicted heavy casualties on the militants. Ten army soldiers were also killed during the raids," the statement said.

Those killed included 21 Islamic State (IS) militants. 

At least 11 of the IS fighters also wounded after Afghan army and coalition forces launched airstrikes against an IS training centre in Achin district of eastern Nangarhar province, said the statement.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants recently.

The ANSF also seized weapons and defused several roadside bombs planted by the militants, the statement said.

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