57 militants killed in Afghan raid within day

KABUL - Up to 57 militants were killed in operations launched by the Afghan police, army and the NATO-led coalition forces since Thursday, the country's Interior Ministry confirmed Friday morning.

"During joint cleanup operations conducted by Afghan police, army and the coalition troops, 57 Taliban insurgents were killed, 10 wounded and four others detained over the past 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.

It said the raids took place in Baghlan, Kunduz Nangarhar, Kapisa, Sari Pul, Jawzjan, Kandahar and Helmand provinces to clear the areas from militants.

The joint forces also found weapons and ammunition, the statement said, without saying whether any member of the forces was hurt in the operations.

The security forces continue to press the Taliban and other militants recently. But the insurgent responded by bombings and armed attacks.

Earlier on Friday, the district administrative chief of Dasht-i- Archi district, Sheikh Saddruddin, of the northern Kunduz province along with three others were killed in a suicide bombing, the latest in a string of targeted killing in the country.