97 militants killed in fresh military operations in Afghanistan

KABUL - Some 97 militants have been killed and 24 wounded as Afghan security forces pressed ahead with offensives in restive provinces since early Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

In one operation, 57 Taliban militants were killed after joint Afghan security forces launched a cleanup operation in surrounding areas of Jani Khel district, eastern Paktia province, the ministry said in a statement providing daily operational updates.

Sporadic clashes have been continuing in outer sides of the district over the past days as security forces tried to regain the control of the district from militants.

The Taliban seized control of the mountainous district over the weekend.

In northern Baghlan province, 15 militants were killed and three others wounded during clashes with the security forces in Baghlan-e-Markazi district, according to the statement.

Some 25 militants had been killed, 21 injured and three others captured during separate operations in southern Helmand and Zabul provinces and northern Kunduz province, the statement added.

The statement also confirmed loss of 12 army soldiers during the operations and as a result of separate attack across the country over the same period.

Joint Afgan security forces also seized weapons and defused several roadside bombs and landmines planted by the militants, the statement added.

The Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations against militants since early April after Taliban militants started their so-called annual spring offensive and step up attacks across the country.

The Taliban has yet to make comments.